BIOLOGY 

i 
S 


A    MANUAL 


OF  THE 

VERTEBRATE  ANIMALS 

OF  THE 

NORTHERN    UNITED   STATES 

INCLUDING    THE  DISTRICT    NORTH    AND    EAST    OF     THE 

OZARK  MOUNTAINS,  SOUTH  OF    THE   LAURENTIAN 

HILLS,  NORTH  OF   THE  SOUTHERN  BOUNDARY 

OF    VIRGINIA,  AND   EAST   OF    THE 

MISSOURI  RIVER 

INCLUSIVE   OF   MARINE   SPECIES 

BY 

j 

DAVID    STARR    JORDAN 

PRESIDENT  OF   THE   UNIVERSITY   OF  INDIANA 

FIFTH     EDITION 

ENTIRELY    REWRITTEN    AND    MUCH    ENLARGED 


CHICAGO 

A.  C.  McCLURG  AND   COMPANY 
1888 


\  t 


BIOLOGY 

LIBRARY 

G 


COPYRIGHT 

BY   JANSEX,   MCCLURG,  AND   Co. 
A.D.    1876 


COPYRIGHT 

BY  JANSEN,    MCCLURG,   AND   Co. 
A.D.    1878 

COPYRIGHT 
BY  A.  C.  MCCLURG  AND  Co, 

A.D.    1888 


PEEFACE 

TO    THE    FIFTH    EDITION. 


THIS  book  is  designed  to  give  to  students  and  collectors 
a  ready  means  of  identifying  the  Vertebrate  fauna  of  the 
region  which  it  covers,  and  of  recognizing  the  characters 
on  which  the  families,  genera,  and  species  of  these  ani- 
mals are  founded. 

To  these  ends,  I  have  made  use  of  a  system  of  analyti- 
cal keys  by  which  differential  characters  are  brought  into 
contrast.  The  usefulness  of  such  keys  has  long  been 
recognized  by  botanists,  and  in  ornithology  the  recent 
works  of  Coues  and  Eidgway  have  proved  their  value  to 
the  student. 

That  the  book  might  not  reach  a  size  too  large  for  field 
or  class  use,  I  have  made  all  descriptions  very  concise, 
with  as  few  repetitions  as  possible.  I  have  confined  the 
generic  characters  to  the  analytical  keys,  using  as  a  rule 
only  such  characters  as  are  distinctive  as  well  as  descrip- 
tive. The  need  of  condensation  has  caused  the  omission 
of  synonymy,  and  of  references  to  authorities  except  in 
special  cases. 

In  the  first  four  editions  of  this  work  (1876,  1878, 1880, 
1884),  large  use  was  made  of  artificial  characters  in  the 
analyses  of  the  genera.  The  use  of  such  characters  is 
often  a  help  to  quick  identification  of  species,  but  with 
the  disadvantage  of  hiding  from  the  student  the  real  char- 
acters on  which  classification  is  based.  In  the  present 
edition,  these  artificial  keys  have  been  chiefly  set  aside, 


11  PREFACE  TO   THE   FIFTH  EDITION. 

and  I  have  tried,  with,  more  or  less  of  success,  to  set  be- 
fore the  student  the  essential  characters  of  each  group. 

The  present  edition  is  wholly  re-written  and  it  is 
printed  from  new  stereotype  plates.  The  order  of  ar- 
rangement is  reversed,  the  lowest  forms  being  placed 
first. 

The  region  covered  by  the  Manual  has  been  extended 
in  the  present  edition  so  as  to  include,  in  addition,  Mis- 
souri, Iowa,  Minnesota,  the  Provinces  of  Canada,  and  the 
sea-coast  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Cape  Hatteras.  The  deep- 
sea  fishes  of  this  region  are,  however,  omitted,  as  well  as 
the  tropical  and  semi-tropical  forms  which  occasionally 
drift  northward  in  the  Gulf  Stream,  without  gaining  any 
permanent  place  in  the  northern  fauna.  Several  species 
of  birds  which  have  been  once  or  twice  taken  in  our  limits, 
but  which  are  merely  accidental  wanderers  from  the  West 
or  South  or  from  Europe,  have  also  been  omitted.  I  have 
wished  to  include  only  those  animals  which  really  form  a 
part  of  the  fauna  of  the  region  in  question. 

I  have  made  free  use  of  every  available  source  of  infor- 
mation, and  I  believe  that  the  present  state  of  our  knowl- 
edge in  this  field  is  fairly  represented.  The  arrangement 
of  the  fishes  is  essentially  that  of  Jordan  and  Gilbert's 
"  Synopsis  of  the  Fishes  of  North  America  "  (1883),  and, 
almost  exactly  that  of  Jordan's  "  Catalogue  of  the  Fishes 
of  North  America  "  (1885).  The  manuscript  of  the  fresh 
water  fishes,  in  the  present  edition,  has  been  carefully  re- 
vised by  Prof.  Charles  H.  Gilbert. 

The  arrangement  of  the  Batrachians  and  Eeptiles  is 
essentially  that  set  forth  in  the  various  papers  of  Prof. 
Edward  D.  Cope.  I  have  made  use  of  Boulenger's  Cata- 
logues of  the  Reptiles  in  the  British  Museum,  and  of  the 
"  Catalogue  of  North  American  Batrachia  and  Eeptilia  " 
by  N.  S.  Davis  and  Frank  L.  Bice.  The  manuscripts  of 
the  Reptiles  and  Batrachians  have  been  revised  by  Prof. 
O.  P.  Hay. 


PREFACE  TO   THE  FIFTH  EDITIOX.  Ill 

In  the  nomenclature  and  classification  of  the  Birds,  I 
have  followed  exactly  the  "Check  List  of  North  Ameri- 
can Birds,"  published  by  the  American  Ornithologists' 
Union.  In  the  preparation  of  analytical  keys  to  the 
genera  of  Birds,  I  have  made  large  use  of  Kidgway's 
"  Manual  of  North  American  Birds,"  and  of  Coues'  "  Key 
to  North  American  Birds."  In  the  arrangement  of  the 
Mammals,  I  have  been  guided  primarily  by  Professor 
Baird's  "  History  of  North  American  Mammals."  In  the 
Rodentia,  I  have  made  use  of  the  elaborate  monographs  of 
Dr.  Elliott  Coues  and  Dr.  J.  A.  Allen ;  and  in  the  other 
groups  reviewed  by  Dr.  Coues,  I  have  adopted  most  of 
his  conclusions.  In  the  Cetaceans,  I  have  used  chiefly 
the  papers  of  Mr.  Frederick  W.  True  and  Prof.  E.  D. 
Cope,  and  both  these  naturalists  have  kindly  furnished  me 
with  unpublished  catalogues  of  the  species  recognized  by 
them. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  present  edition  I  am  also 
personally  indebted  for  aid  in  various  ways  to  Prof.  Ed- 
ward D.  Cope,  Mr.  Leonhard  Stejneger,  Prof.  Charles  H. 
Gilbert,  Prof.  Oliver  P.  Hay,  Mr.  Frederick  W.  True,  Mr. 
Eobert  Eidgway,  Mr.  Amos  W.  Butler,  Dr.  J.  Sterling 
Kingsley,  Mr.  Charles  H.  Bollman,  Dr.  Stephen  A.  Forbes, 
Mr.  Barton  W.  Evermann,  and  others.  I  may  again  refer 
to  the  obligations  acknowledged  in  the  earlier  edition,  — 
especially  to  my  indebtedness  to  Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  Dr. 
Theodore  Gill,  Prof.  Edward  D.  Cope,  Prof.  Herbert  E. 
Copeland,  and  Mr.  Edward  W.  Nelson. 

DAVID  S.  JORDAN. 
BLOOMINGTON,  INDIANA, 

June,  1888. 


THE  VERTEBRATE  ANIMALS 


OF    THE 


NOKTHERN  UNITED  STATES. 


VERTEBRATA.    (THE  VERTEBRATES.) 

THE  Vertebrates  are,  in  popular  language,  "animals  with  a 
back-bone."  They  are  distinguished  from  all  other  animals,  says 
Professor  Huxley,  "  by  the  circumstance  that  a  transverse  and 
vertical  section  of  the  body  exhibits  two  cavities,  completely  sep- 
arated from  one  another  by  a  partition.  The  dorsal  cavity  contains 
the  cerebro-spinal  nervous  system ;  the  ventral,  the  alimentary 
canal,  the  heart,  and,  usually,  a  double  chain  of  ganglia,  which 
passes  under  the  name  of  the  « sympathetic.'  A  vertebrated  ani- 
mal may  be  devoid  of  articulated  limbs,  and  it  never  possesses 
more  than  two  pairs.  These  are  always  provided  with  an  internal 
skeleton,  to  which  the  muscles  moving  the  limbs  are  attached." 

Modern  researches  have  shown  that,  besides  the  ordinary  "  back- 
boned animals,"  certain  other  creatures,  formerly  considered  as 
Mollusks  or  Worms,  are  really  degenerate  forms  of  Vertebrates, 
and  must  be  considered  as  members,  or  at  least  as  associates,  of 
this  group.  The  resemblance  to  the  other  Vertebrates  on  the  part 
of  the  forms  in  question  is  seen  in  their  early  or  larval  develop- 
ment, and  scarcely  at  all  in  the  adult  condition.  "  Many  of  the 
species  start  in  life  with  the  promise  of  reaching  a  point  high  in 
the  scale,  but  after  a  while  they  turn  around,  and,  as  one  might  say, 
pursue  a  downward  course,  which  results  in  an  adult  which  dis- 
plays but  few  resemblances  to  the  other  vertebrates."  (Kingsley.) 
These  are  the  Tunicates  or  Ascidians,  forming  the  Class  or  Prov- 
ince of  "  Urochordata."  The  essential  character  of  the  Vertebrata, 
in  the  broad  sense  of  the  term,  is  now  understood  to  be  this  :  "  The 


6  VERTEBRATA. 

possession  of  a  cellular  cord,  —  the  *  notochord,'  —  which  runs  un- 
derneath the  central  nervous  system,  and  which  in  the  higher  forms 
is  surrounded  by  the  permanent  vertebral  column  and  skull,  and  is 
largely  obliterated  by  the  development  of  these  structures.  So  the 
term  CHORDATA  is  frequently  employed  as  synonymous  with  VER- 
TEBRATA in  its  wide  sense."  (R.  R.  Wright.) 

Without  further  discussion  of  the  VERTEBRATA  or  "  CHOR- 
DATA "  as  a  whole,  we  may  proceed  to  the  account  of  the  several 
subordinate  groups  or  classes.  The  existing  forms  may  first  be 
divided  into  about  six  primary  groups,  which  have  been  called 
"  provinces  "  by  Professor  Huxley.  These  are  (I)  the  Uroclior- 
data,  including  the  class  Tunicata  ;  (II)  the  Hemichordata  or  En- 
teropneusta ;  (III)  the  Cephalochordata,  corresponding  to  the  class 
Leptocardii ;  (IV)  the  Ichthyopsida,  including  the  classes  of  Cyclo- 
stomi,  Pisces,  and  Batrachia;  (V)  the  Sauropsida,  including  the 
Reptilia  and  Aves ;  and  finally  (VI)  the  Mammalia,  correspond- 
ing to  the  single  class  of  the  same  name. 

The  relations  of  these  provinces  and  classes  are  shown  in  the 
following  analysis  taken,  in  part,  from  Dr.  Gill's  "  Arrangement 
of  the  Families  of  Fishes."  Only  the  more  obvious  characters 
are  here  mentioned.  Others  may  be  found  in  the  more  elaborate 
works  on  Comparative  Anatomy. 

Analysis  of  the  Classes  of  Chordata. 

a.  Anterior  end  of  the  central  nervous  axis  not  dilated  into  a  brain,  and  not 

surrounded  by  a  protective  capsule  or  skull. 

b.  Notochord  confined  to  the  tail  and  usually  present  only  in  the  tadpole- 
like  larval  stage  of  the  animal  (UROCHORDATA)  :  adult  animal  not 
fish-like  nor  worm-like,  its  body  invested  with  a  tough  envelope  or 

"tunic." TUNICATA,  A. 

bb.  Notochord  not  confined  to  the  tail,  but  extending  forward  to  the  anterior 
end  of  the  body;  sides  of  body  with  numerous  gill  slits  which  are 
persistent  through  life. 

d.  Notochord  developed  in   anterior  end   of   body  only  (HEMICHOR- 

DATA) :   adult  animal  worm-like,  without  trace  of  fins ;   a  long 

proboscis  before  the  mouth ENTEROPNEUSTA,  B. 

dd.  Notochord  perfect,  continued  forward  to  a  point  before  the  mouth 
(CEPHALOCHORDATA)  :  body  elongate,  lanceolate,  somewhat  fish- 
like  in  form,  not  worm-like  nor  enveloped  in  a  "  tunic  " ;  middle 
line  of  body  with  rudimentary  fins;  no  proboscis;  the  mouth  slit- 
like,  fringed  with  cirri LEPTOCARDII,  C. 

aa.  Anterior  end  of  the  nervous  axis  dilated  into  a  "brain,"  which  is  con- 
tained within  a  protective  capsule,  the  "  skull " ;  notochord  not 
continued  forwards  beyond  the  pituitary  body;  heart  developed  and 
divided  into  at  least  two  parts,  an  auricle  and  a  ventricle.  (CRA- 

NIOTA.) 

e.  Respiration  during  part  or  the  whole  of  life  performed  by  means  of 

gills ;  blood  cold.    (ICHTHYOPSIDA.) 


VERTEBRATA.  7 

f.  Skull  imperfectly  developed  and  without  jaws  ;   paired  fins  un- 

developed, with  no  shoulder  girdle  or  pelvic  elements  ;  a  single 
median  nostril  ;  gills  purse-shaped;  skin  naked  ;  skeleton  car- 
tilaginous  CYCLOSTOMI,  D. 

ff.  Skull  well  developed,  and  with  jaws;  shoulder  girdle  and  pelvic 
elements  developed;  nostrils  not  median. 

g.  Limbs  developed  as  rayed  fins  (rarely  abortive) ;   rayed  fins  noi-- 

mally  present  on  the  median  line  of  the  body  ;  respiration 
throughout  life  by  means  of  gills ;  lungs  usually  not  developed. 

PISCES,  E. 

ffff.  Limbs  not  developed  as  rayed  fins,  but,  if  present,  having  the  same 
skeletal  elements  as  in  the  higher  vertebrates  ;  respiration  in  the 
adult  chiefly  accomplished  by  means'  of  lungs,  the  gills  usually 

not  persistent;  skin  usually  naked BATRACHIA,  F. 

ee.  Respiration  performed  throughout  life  by  means  of  lungs,  the  gill 

slits  disappearing  before  birth. 

h.  Mammary  glands  not  present;  diaphragm  incomplete;  a  single 

occipital   condyle;   oviparous  (or  sometimes  ovoviviparous), 

the  young  hatched  from  a  rather  large  egg.     (SAUROPSIDA.) 

i.  Exoskeleton  developed  as  scales  or  bony  plates;   blood  cold; 

heart  with  three  (rarely  four)  cavities.     .     .    REPTILIA,  G. 

ii.  Exoskeleton  developed  as  feathers;  blood  warm;  heart  with 

four  cavities AvES,NE[. 

hh.  Mammary  glands  present;  the  3roung  developed  within  the  body 
from  a  minute  egg  (except  in  the  Monotremata],  and  nourished 
for  a  time  after  birth  by  milk  secreted  in  the  mammary  glands; 
exoskeleton  developed  as  hair;  two  occipital  condyles;  dia- 
phragm complete;  heart  with  four  cavities ;  blood  warm. 

MAMMALIA,  I. 

Of  these  classes,  the  Tunicata  (A)  and  the  Enter opneusta  (B)  are 
excluded  from  the  plan  of  the  present  work.  The  Tunicata  are  all 
marine  forms,  of  small  size,  the  larger  species  being  familiarly 
known  as  "  Sea  Squirts,"  "  Sea  Peaches,"  and  "  Sea  Pears  "  ;  but 
the  most  of  them  are  without  common  names.  A  considerable 
number  of  species,  representing  several  families,  are  found  on  our 
Atlantic  coast.  The  Enteropneusta  consist  of  the  single  genus 
Balanoglossus,  a  worm-like  creature,  of  which  two  or  three  species 
are  found  on  our  coasts.  They  reach  a  length  of  six  to  twelve 
inches.  They  have  been  considered  as  worms  having  possible 
affinities  with  the  Echinoderms,  but  the  recent  studies  of  Mr. 
William  Bateson  seem  to  show  conclusively  that  their  place  is 
among  the  Chordata. 

Leaving  these  groups  aside,  we  take  up 


LEPTOCARDII :   CIEEOSTOMI.  —  I. 


CLASS  C.  —  LEPTOCARDII.     (THE  LANCELETS.) 

Skeleton  membrane-cartilaginous  ;  no  brain  ;  no  skull  ;  tlie  noto- 
chord  persistent  and  extending  to  front  of  body;  no  heart,  its  place 
being  taken  by  pulsating  sinuses  ;  blood  colorless  ;  respiratory  cav- 
ity confluent  with  cavity  of  abdomen  ;  gill  slits  in  great  number  ; 
the  water  expelled  from  an  abdominal  pore  in  front  of  vent  ;  no 
jaws;  the  mouth  inferior,  slit-like,  with  cirri  on  each  side.  (Gr. 
o's,  thin  ;  Kapftia,  heart.) 


ORDER  I.    CIBROSTOMI. 

The  single  order  of  this  class  contains  but  a  single  family.  (Lat., 
cirrus,  hair  ;  Gr.  crro/za,  mouth.) 

FAMILY  I.    BRANCHIOSTOMATID^J.    (THE 
LANCELETS.) 

Body  elongate-lanceolate,  compressed,  naked,  colorless,  the  fins 
represented  by  a  low  fold  which  extends  along  the  back  around 
the  tail,  past  the  vent,  to  the  abdominal  pore  ;  eye  rudimentary  ; 
liver  a  blind  sac  of  the  simple  intestine.  One  genus,  with  5  or 
6  species  ;  small,  translucent  creatures  found  imbedded  in  the 
sand  on  warm  coasts.  These  animals  are  highly  interesting  to 
the  anatomist  as  showing  the  vertebrate  type  in  its  simplest 
condition. 

1.  BRANCHIOSTOMA  Costa.     (Ampldoxus  Yarrell.) 
,  gills  ;  oro/ia,  mouth.) 


1.  B.  caribaeum  Sundevall.  LANCELET.  Muscular  bands 
(myocommas)  55  to  60  (37  -|-  14  -|-  9  =  60)  ;  tail  short  ;  extremi- 
ties attenuate.  (Otherwise  as  in  the  European  B.  lanceolatum, 
which  has  56  to  60  myocommas;  35  -f-  12  -f-  13  =  60).  N".  Y.  to 
S.  A.  buried  in  soft  sand,  locally  abundant.  (Name  from  Carib- 
bean Sea.) 


MYXINID^E.  —  II. 


CLASS  D.     CYCLOSTOMI.     (THE  MYZONTS.) 

Skeleton  cartilaginous  ;  skull  imperfect,  not  separate  from  ver- 
tebral column  ;  no  jaws  ;  no  limbs;  no  ribs;  no  shoulder  girdle  nor 
pelvic  elements  ;  gills  in  the  form  of  fixed  sacs,  6  or  more  on  each 
side  ;  nostril  single,  median  ;  mouth  subinferior,  nearly  circular, 
adapted  for  sucking  ;  heart  without  arterial  bulb  ;  alimentary 
canal  straight,  simple  ;  vertical  fins  with  feeble  rays.  Naked,  eel- 
shaped  animals  found  in  all  cool  waters.  (Gr.  KVK\OS,  circle; 
oro/icr,  mouth.) 

Orders  of  Cyclostomi. 

a.  Nostril  tube-like  with  cartilaginous  rings,  penetrating  the  palate;  gill 

openings  remote  from  the  head;  no  eyes  .....    HYPEROTRETA,  2. 

act.  Nostril  a  blind  sac  not  entering  the  palate;  gill  openings  close  behind 

the  head  ;  eyes  well  developed  in  the  adult.  .    .     .    HYPEROARTIA,  2. 

ORDER  II.    HYPEROTRETA. 


Characters  as  given  above.  Only  one  family,  (vrrepwa,  palate  ; 
Tprjros,  perforate.) 

FAMILY  II.    MYXINID^.     (THE  HAG-FISHES.) 

Snout  with  eight  barbels  ;  no  lips  ;  a  median  tooth  on  the  palate 
and  two  rows  on  each  side  of  the  tongue,  which  is  a  powerful  organ 
with  a  strong  fibrous  tendon  moving  in  a  muscular  sheath  ;  each 
side  of  abdomen  with  a  series  of  mucous  sacs  ;  no  eyes  ;  intestine 
without  spiral  valve  ;  skin  thin  and  loose  ;  eggs  large,  with  a  horny 
case  and  threads  for  adhesion  ;  genera  2  ;  species  4  or  5.  Lamprey- 
like  animals,  burrowing  into  the  flesh  of  fishes,  on  which  they  feed  ; 
marine. 

a.  Gill  openings  one  on  each  side,  this  leading  by  six  ducts  to  six  branchial 
sacs  ...........    .    ........    MYXINE,  2. 

2.  MYXINE  Linnaeus.     (Gr.  pvga,  slime.) 


2.  M.  glutinosa  L.     HAG-FISH,  BORER.    Bluish  ;  head  3|  to  4 
in  length.     jST.  Atl.,  S.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Eu.) 


10  CYCLOSTOMI:  HYPEROARTIA. — III. 


ORDER  III.    HYPEROARTIA. 

Characters  given  above.  One  family  only,  (vvrepwa,  palate  ; 
aprios,  complete.) 

FAMILY  III.    PETROMYZONTIDuE.     (THE  LAMPREYS.) 

Body  eel-shaped,  naked,  compressed  behind  ;  mouth  subcircular, 
armed  with  horny  teeth,  which  rest  on  papillae  ;  gill  openings  7, 
arranged  in  a  row  along  the  side  of  the  "  chest  "  ;  lips  present, 
fringed  ;  nostril  on  top  of  head,  just  in  front  of  eyes  ;  dorsal  fin 
more  or  less  notched  ;  intestine  with  a  spiral  valve  ;  eggs  small. 
The  lampreys  undergo  a  metamorphosis,  the  larva  of  all  species 
being  toothless  and  having  the  eyes  rudimentary.  The  name 
Ammocoetes  was  formerly  applied  to  the  larval  forms  ;  originally, 
however,  to  that  of  A.  branchialis.  Genera  3  or  4,  species  about 
15,  chiefly  of  the  fresh  waters  of  temperate  regions.  They  attach 
themselves  to  fishes,  and  feed  by  scraping  off  the  flesh  with  their 
rasp-like  teeth. 

a.  Second  dorsal  joined  to  the  caudal. 

b.  Supraroral  lamina  ("  maxillary  tooth  ")  expanded  laterally,  forming  a 
crescent-shaped  plate,  with  a  cusp  at  each  end,  and  sometimes  a  median 
cusp;  anterior  lingual  teeth  serrate  .......    AMMOCCETES,  3. 

bb.  Supraoral  lamina  contracted,  of  two  or  three  teeth  close  together;  discal 
teeth  numerous,  in  concentric  series;  buccal  disk  large  (in  adult, 
very  small  in  larva)  ...........  PETROMYZON,  4. 


3.  AMMOCCETES  Dumeril.     (cfyt/ioy,  sand  ;  KOITT),  bed.) 

a.  Supraoral  lamina  with  a  very  small  median  cusp  or  none;  edge  of  anterior 
lingual  tooth  small,  crescent-shaped,  dentate,  the  median  denticle  en- 
larged ;  buccal  disk  small,  with  few  teeth.  (AMMOCCETES.) 

3.  A.  branchialis  (L.).    MUD  LAMPREY.     BROOK  LAMPREY. 
Dorsal   continuous,   deeply    notched,   both   parts   high;    about   3 
bicuspid  teeth  on  each  side  of  buccal  disk  ;  the  other  teeth  sim- 
ple ;  infraoral  plate  with  5  to  9  blunt  subequal  cusps  ;  head  with 
gills  4f  ;  myocommas  6  7,  between  gills  and  vent  ;  an  anal  papilla 
present  in  spring.     Color  bluish  black.     L.  8.     Cayuga  L.  (Meek) 
to  Minn,  and  Ky.,  ascending  brooks  in  spring.     (Eu.)    (P.  niger9 
Raf.,  not  of  Lacepede.)     (Lat.,  having  gills.) 

4.  PETROMYZON  (Artedi)  Linnseus.     (nerpa,  stone; 

p.v£a>,  to  suck.) 

a.  Anterior  lingual  tooth  divided  in  two  by  a  median  groove  ;  dorsal  fin  con- 
tinuous, with  a  broad  notch.  (Ichthyomyzon  Girard.) 

4.  P.  castaneus  (Girard).     Supraoral  lamina  (maxillary  tooth) 
tricuspid  ;  some  lateral  teeth  bicuspid  ;  infraoral  lamina  (mandib- 


PETROMYZONTLTLE.  —  III.  1 1 

ulary  tooth)  with  7  to  12  cusps.  Color  yellowish.  L.  10.  Miss. 
Valley,  Minn,  to  Kans.  and  La.  (Ichth.  hirudo  Girard.)  (Lat., 
chestnut-colored.) 

5.  P.  concolor  (Kirtland).     Supraoral  lamina  bicuspid;  teeth 
on  disk  all  simple,  and  placed  in  about  4  concentric  series  ;  infra- 
oral  lamina  with  7  cusps  ;  head  1\ ;  with  gills  4| ;  51  muscular  im- 
pressions between  gills  and  vent.     Color  bluish  silvery,  sometimes 
mottled  ;  a  small  bluish  spot  above  each  gill  opening,  —  this  found 
even  in  the  larva.     L.  12.     L.  Erie  to  Mo.  and  N.,  a  common  para- 
site on  the  Sturgeon  and  other  large  fishes.     (P.  argenteus  Kirtland, 
not  of  Bloch.)     (Lat.,  uniformly  colored.) 

aa.  Anterior  lingual  tooth  with  a  deep  median  groove,  and  extending  in  an 
incurved  point ;  dorsal  fin  divided.     (Petromyzon.) 

6.  P.  marinua  L.     GREAT  SEA  LAMPREY.    "  LAMPER  EEL." 
Supraoral  lamina  bicuspid ;   infraoral  cusps  7  to  9  ;   first  row  of 
lateral  teeth  on  side  of  mouth  bicuspid ;  the  others  simple ;  myo- 
commas,  64  between  gills  and  vent ;  males  in  spring  usually  with 
an  elevated  fleshy  ridge  before  the  dorsal.     Color  dark  brown, 
usually  mottled  with  blackish.      L.  3  feet.     N.  Atlantic,  S.  to  Va., 
ascending  rivers  to  spawn,  and  permanently  land-locked  (var.  uni- 
color,  Dekay)  in  the  lakes  of  W.  and  N.  N.  Y.     The  larva  is  blind, 
toothless,  with  a  contracted  mouth,  in  which  the  lower  lip  forms  a 
lobe  distinct  from  the  upper.     The  eyes  appear  before  the  mouth 
is  enlarged.     (Eu.~) 

In  the  spring  the  Lamprey  ascends  small  brooks  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
positing its  spawn.  They  are  then  often  found  clinging  to  stones  and  clods 
of  earth.  Later  in  the  season  they  disappear,  and  are  seldom  seen  except 
when  attached  to  some  unlucky  fish.  They  are  rarely  seen  descending  the 
stream,  and  "  it  is  thought  by  fishermen  that  they  never  return,  but  waste 
away  and  die,  clinging  to  rocks  and  stumps  of  trees  for  an  indefinite  period; 
a  tragic  feature  in  the  scenery  of  the  river  bottoms  worthy  to  be  remembered 
with  Shakespeare's  description  of  the  sea  floor."  (Thoreau.) 


12  PISCES. 


CLASS  E.  —  PISCES.    (THE  FISHES.) 

A  "  fish  "  in  the  popular  sense  is  a  member  of  any  one  of  the 
three  classes  of  aquatic  or  fish-like  vertebrates,  the  groups  here 
designated  as  Leptocardii,  Marsipobranchii,  and  Pisces.  But  the 
Lancelets  and  the  Lampreys  differ  so  widely  from  the  other  groups 
that  we  must  exclude  them  from  consideration  as  fishes.  Many 
writers  go  still  further  and  remove  from  the  Pisces,  the  Sharks, 
Chimceras,  and  Dipnoans,  but  for  our  present  purposes  all  these 
may  be  referred  to  the  same  class  as  the  true  fishes,  or  Teleosts. 
The  Pisces  or  "  Fishes  "  may  then  be  defined  as  cold-blooded  ver- 
tebrates adapted  for  life  in  the  water,  breathing  by  means  of  gills 
which  are  not  purse-shaped,  but  attached  to  bony  or  cartilaginous 
gill  arches  ;  having  the  skull  well  developed  and  with  a  lower  jaw  ; 
with  the  limbs  present  and  developed  as  fins,  or  rarely  wanting 
through  atrophy  ;  with  shoulder  girdle  present,  furcula-shaped, 
curved  forward  and  with  the  sides  connected  below ;  with  pelvic 
bones  present ;  having  the  exoskeleton  developed  as  scales  or  bony 
plates  or  horny  appendages,  sometimes  obsolete,  and  with  the  me- 
dian line  of  body  with  one  or  more  fins  composed  of  cartilaginous 
rays  connected  by  membrane.  The  existing  representatives  of  the 
class  Pisces  may  be  conveniently  divided  into  four  subclasses  : 
Selachii  or  Elasmobranchii,  Holocephali,  Telggstomi,  and  Dipnoi. 
The  last  group  (Ceratodus,  Lepidosireri)  has  well-developed  lungs 
and  the  paired  fins  flipper-like.  It  forms  a  connecting  link  be- 
tween the  Ganoidei  and  the  BatracJiia.  As  there  are  no  North 
American  species  of  Dipnoi,  the  group  needs  no  further  men- 
tion in  this  work. 

Subclasses  of  Pisces. 

a.  Gills  not  free,  being  attached  to  the  skin  by  the  outer  margin.  Ova  few 
and  large,  impregnated  and  sometimes  developed  internally:  embrvo 
with  deciduous  external  gills;  membrane  bones  of  head  undeveloped, 
except  sometimes  a  rudimentary  opercle;  skeleton  cartilaginous;  skull 
without  sutures ;  tail  heterocercal ;  ventral  fins  abdominal ;  male  with 
large  intromittent  organs  or  claspers  attached  to  ventral  fins;  skin 
naked  or  covered  with  minute  rough  scales,  sometimes  with  spines ;  no 
air-bladder;  arterial  bulb  with  three  series  of  valves;  intestine  with  a 
spiral  valve;  optic  nerves  united  by  a  chiasma;  cerebral  hemispheres 
united. 

b.  Giiropenings  slit-like,  5  to  7  in  number;  jaws  distinct  from  the  skull, 
joined  to  it  by  suspensory  bones;  no  membrane  bones;  teeth  distinct. 
(Sharks  and  Skates.) SELACHII,  page  14. 


PISCES.  13 

bb.  Gill  opening  single,  leading  to  four  gill  clefts;  jaws  coalescent  with  the 
skull;  a  rudimentary  opercle ;  teeth  coalescent  forming  bony  plates. 

(Chimceras.) HOLOCEPHALI,  page  24. 

a.  Gills  free,  attached  at  base  only  to  the  gill  arches;  gill  opening  single  on 
each  side ;  eggs  comparatively  small  and  numerous ;  no  claspers ;  mem- 
brane bones  present  on  head;  cerebral  hemispheres  not  united.  (True 
Fishes.) TELEOSTOMI,  page  25 


14  SELACHII :  SQUALL  —  IV. 


SUBCLASS  SELACHII.     (THE  SELACHIANS.) 

This  group,  sufficiently  defined  above,  includes  two  orders,  the 
Sharks  and  the  Rays,  —  marine  fishes  of  large  size,  abundant  in 
most  seas.  (Gr.  o-e\a\o?,  shark.) 

Orders  of  Selachii. 

a.  Gill  openings  lateral SQUALI,  4. 

aa.  Gill  openings  ventral RAI.E,  5. 

ORDER  IV.    SQUALI.     (THE  SHARKS.) 

The  typical  sharks  are  elongate  in  form,  quite  unlike  the  skates 
in  appearance.  Intermediate  forms  connect  the  two  groups  so 
closely  that  the  position  of  the  gill  openings  is  the  only  constant 
character  by  which  the  two  orders  can  be  separated.  (Lat.,  a 
shark,  from  Gr.  yaXeoy,  allied  to  ya\fr),  a  weasel.) 

NOTE.  —  The  Sharks  are  mostly  fishes  of  the  high  seas,  and  any  of  the 
larger  Atlantic  species  may  stray  to  our  coasts.  Besides  those  here  described, 
the  following  have  been  at  least  once  taken  within  our  limits :  — 

Echinorhinus  spinosus  (Gmelin),  Cape  Cod;  Centrocyllium  fabricii  (Rein- 
hardt),  off  Gloucester;  Centroscymnus  coelolepis  (Bocage  &  Capello),  Glou- 
cester; Pseudotriacis  microdon  (Capello),  Long  Island;  Aprionodon  isodon 
(Muller  &  Henle);  Isogomphodon  limbatus  (Muller  &  Henle),  Wood's  Holl. 

Omitting  extralimital  families,  we  have  the  following  analysis  of 

Families  of  Squall. 

c.  Pectoral  fins  moderate,  without  deep  notch  at  base  in  front;  gill  openings  5. 
b.  Anal  fin  wanting. 

c.  Dorsal  fins  each  with  a  stout  spine SQUALTD.F,,  4. 

cc.  Dorsal  fins  without  spine.      .     .     , SOMNIOSID.E,  5. 

bb.  Anal  fin  present ;  both  dorsals  without  spine,  the  first  inserted  before 
-"  the  ventrals. 

d.  Caudal  fin  not  lunate,  the  upper  lobe  very  much  longer  than  the  lower, 

with  a  notch  below,  towards  its  tip;  side  of  tail  without  keel. 
e.  Last  gill  opening  above  base  of  pectoral. 
/.  Tail  moderately  developed,  not  half  length  of  rest  of  body ;  eyes 

with  nictitating  membrane. 

g.  Head  kidney-shaped  or  hammer-shaped,  much  wider  than  long. 

SPHYRNID^E,  6. 

gg.  Head  normally  formed GALEORHINID^:,  7. 

ff.  Tail  very  long,  as  long  as  rest  of  body;  no  nictitating  mem- 
brane.   ALOPIID^E,  8. 


/ 


SQUALID^:.  —  iv.  15 

ee.  Last  gill  opening  before  base  of  pectoral;  dorsal  fins  subequal. 

CARCHAKIIDJ?,  9. 
dd.  Caudal  fin  lunate,  the  lower  lobe  not  much  shorter  than  the  upper  ; 

tail  with  a  keel  on  each  side,  last  gill  opening  before  pectorals. 
A.  Gill  openings  rather  large;  teeth  large  .....      LAMKID^E,  10. 
hh.  Gill  openings  very  large,  nearly  meeting  both  above  and  below  ; 
teeth  small  (largest  of  all  fishes)  .....    CETORHINID^E,  11. 
aa.  Pectoral  fins  very  large,  wing-like,  expanded  at  the  base  in  front,  this  ex- 
pansion being  separated  from  the  neck  by  a  deep  notch;  no  anal  fin. 

SQUATINID^E,  12. 

FAMILY  IV.    SQTJALJD^E.    (THE  DOG-FISHES.) 

Sharks  with  two  dorsal  fins,  each  armed  with  a  stout  spine,  and 
without  anal  fin  ;  no  nictitating  membrane  ;  spiracles  moderate  ; 
gill  openings  narrow,  all  before  pectorals  ;  ventral  fins  inserted 
posteriorly  ;  teeth  small,  compressed  ;  nostrils  inferior,  near  front 
of  snout.  Genera  6  ;  species  about  15;  small  sharks,  chiefly  of  the 
Atlantic.  (Spinaddce  Auct.) 

a.  Teeth  in  both  jaws,  simple,  subquadrate,  each  with  a  nearly  horizontal 
cutting  edge,  and  a  point  directed  outward;  dorsal  spines  strong. 

SQUALUS,  5. 

5.  SQUALUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus. 

7.  S.  acanthias  L.  DOG-FISH.  Dorsal  spines  not  grooved; 
slate-color,  back  with  whitish  spots  fading  with  age.  L.  3  feet. 
North  Atl.,  S.  to  Cuba;  abundant  N.,  its  liver  valued  for  the 
"Dog-fish  oil."  (Eu.}  (Gr.  a<av6ias,  having  spines.) 


V.     SOMNIOSID^E.    (THE  SLEEPER  SHARKS.) 

Sharks  with  two  dorsal  fins,  both  without  spine,  and  no  anal  fin, 
the  first  dorsal  much  before  ventrals,  otherwise  essentially  as  in 
the  SqualidcR.  Genera  5  ;  species  5  or  6,  mostly  large  sharks  of 
the  Atlantic. 

a.  Dorsal  fins  about  equal  ;  upper  teeth  lancet-shaped*  incurved;  lower  quad- 
rate with  a  horizontal  edge,  ending  in  a  point  directed  outwards;  fins 
very  small  ................  SOMNIOSUS,  6. 

6.  SOMNIOSUS  Le  Sueur.     (Lat.,  sleepy.) 
8.    S.   microcephalus    (Bloch).      SLEEPER.     NURSE.      Color 
blackish  ;  caudal  blunt.     L.  10  to  18  feet.     Arctic  seas,  S.  to  Cape 
Cod.     (En.}     (niKpos,  small  ;  /te^aXj?,  head.) 


FAMILY  VI.     SPHYRNID^l.     (THE  HAMMER-HEADED 
SHARKS.) 

Characters  of  the  Galeorhinidce,  except  that  the  head  has  a  form 
hammer-shaped  or  kidney-shaped,  its  sides  being  much  extended, 
the  eyes  borne  at  the  ends  of  the  hammer.  One  genus,  with  4  or 
5  species;  large  sharks  of  the  warm  seas. 


16  SELACHII  :  SQUALL  —  IV. 

7.  SPHYRNA  Rafinesque.     (An  old  name  from  cr^t'pa, 
hammer.) 

a.  Teeth  in  both  jaws  oblique,  each  with  a  notch  on  the  outside  near  the  base ; 

no  spiracles. 

b.  Head  truly  hammer-shaped;  a  long  groove  extending  forward  from 
nostrils.     (Sphyrna.) 

9.  S.    zygaena  (L.).     HAMMER-HEADED   SHARK.  ,  Width  of 
u  hammer  "  twice  its  length.     Gray.     L.  15  to  20  feet.     All  warm 
seas,  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Eu.)     (An  old  name  from  frydv,  a  cross- 
beam.) 

bb.  Head  kidney-shaped,  the  frontal  groove  obsolete.    (Reniceps,  Gill.) 

10.  S.  tiburo  (L.).     BONNET-HEAD  SH*ARK.     Width  of  "ham- 
mer "  not  nearly  twice  its  length.     Ashy  gray.     L.  3  to  5  feet. 
Warm  seas,  N.  to  Va.     (Eu.)     (Tiburo,  an  Italian  name  of  some 
shark.) 

FAMILY  VII.   GALEORHINID^J.   (THE  TYPICAL  SHARKS.) 

Sharks  with  two  dorsals  and  an  anal  fin  ;  no  spines ;  tail  mod- 
erate, not  lunate,  bent  upwards,  the  fin  notched  below  near  the 
tip  ;  basal  lobe  short ;  no  caudal  keel ;  last  gill  opening  above  base 
of  pectoral;  eye  with  nictitating  membrane ;  head  normally  formed. 
Genera  15,  species  about  60,  found  in  all  seas. 

a.    Teeth  blunt,  paved,  without  cusps  or  cutting  edges;   spiracles  present; 
no  pit  at  root  of  tail ;  labial  folds  about  mouth.      .     .    .    GALEUS,  8. 
GO.  Teeth  more  or  less  compressed,  with  sharp  cutting  edges. 
b.  Spiracles  present ;  teeth  large ;  serrated. 

c.  Root  of  tail  with  a  pit  above;  caudal  fin  with  two  notches. 

GALEOCERDO,  9. 
bb.  Spiracles  none;  teeth  sharp;  a  pit  at  root  of  tail. 

d.  Teeth  all  serrate  in  the  adult CARCHARHINUS,  10. 

dd.  Teeth  all  entire,  all  except  the  median  ones  oblique;   their  points 

turned  away  from  the  middle  so  that  the  inner  margins  are 
nearly  horizontal,  and  form  a  cutting  edge.    .    SCOLIODON,  11. 

8.  GALEUS  (Rafinesque)  Leach.     (Mustelus  Cuvier.) 

(yaXeos,  shark;  ya\er),  weasel.), 
a.  Embryo  not  attached  to  uterus  by  a  placenta ;  teeth  very  blunt.    ( Galeus.) 

11.  G.  canis  (Mitchill).    DOG  SHARK.    HOUND  SHARK.    BOCA 
DULCE.     First  dorsal  higher  than  long,  its  middle  midway  between 
pectorals  and  ventrals;   snout  shortish.      Pale  gray.     L.  3  feet. 
Smallest  of  our  sharks.     N.  Atl. ;  common  N.    (Eu.) 

9.  GALEOCERDO  Miiller  &  Henle.     (yaXfdy,  shark  ; 
/cepSw,  fox). 

12.  G.  maculatus  (Ranzani).      TIGER  SHARK.     Brown,  with 
numerous  large  dark  spots.    L.  10  feet.   Warm  seas  ;  rarely  N.  to 
N.  Y.     (Lat.,  spotted.) 


ALOPIHLE.  —  VIII.  17 

'      10.  CARCHARHINUS  Blainville.     (Carcharias  Cuvier.) 

(icdpxapos,  rough  ;  pivrj,  shark.) 

(The  largest  genus  of  sharks,  represented  in  most  warm  seas. 
It  is  often  divided  into  several  genera,  but  intergradations  make 
it  difficult  to  maintain  these  divisions.  In  young  specimens  the 
serration  of  the  teeth  is  not  evident.) 

a.  First  dorsal  far  behind  pectoral,  nearer  root  of  ventral  than  that  of  pec- 
toral.    (Car  char  liinus.) 

13.  C.  glaucus  (L.).     GREAT  BLUE  SHARK.     Snout  very  long  ; 
color  grayish  blue.     A  large  shark,   rare  on   our  coast.     (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  grayish  blue.)       * 

aa.  First  dorsal  not  far  behind  pectoral. 

b.  Upper  teeth  oblique;  deeply  notched  on  outer  margin.    (Platypodon 
Gill.) 

14.  C.  obscurus  (Le  Sueur).     Pectorals  large;   second  dorsal 
evidently  smaller  than   anal  ;    first  dorsal  large  ;    head  pointed. 
L.  10  feet.     N.  Atl.     Frequently  on  our  coast. 

bb.  Upper  teeth  sub-erect,  triangular,,  scarcely  notched  at  outer  margin. 
(Eulamia  Gill.) 

15.  C.  caudatus  (Dekay).      Snout  moderate,   its  length  from 
mouth  forward  not  less  than  width  of  mouth  ;  pectoral  fin  not  very 
long.     Atlantic  coast  :  a  little  known  species  of  uncertain  synon- 
ymy.    (Lat.,  long-tailed.) 

11.  SCOLIODON  Miiller  &  Henle. 
(<r/coAioff,  oblique  ;  od&v,  tooth.) 

16.  S.    terrae-novae    (Richardson).      SHARP-NOSED    SHARK. 

Body  slender  ;  snout  depressed  ;  mouth  with  short  labial  grooves 
on  both  jaws;  second  dorsal  smaller  than  anal;  gray,  tail  dusky- 
edged.  West  Indies,  N.  to  Cape  Cod,  common  S.  (erroneously 
ascribed  to  Newfoundland).  (Lat.  terra,  land  ;  nova,  new.  New- 
foundland.) 

FAMILY  VIII.  ALOPIID^.  (THE  THRESHER  SHARKS.) 
Body  rather  slender  ;  snout  short  ;  teeth  equal,  flat,  triangular, 
entire  ;  gill  openings  moderate,  the  last  above  P.  ;  no  nictitating 
membrane  ;  spiracles  obsolete  ;  first  dorsal  large,  second  dorsal  and 
anal  very  small  ;  tail  about  as  long  as  rest  of  body  ;  no  caudal  keel  ; 
pectorals  falcate,  very  large.  One  species,  a  large  shark,  found  in 
most  warm  seas. 


12.  ALOPIAS  Rafinesque.     (aXc&Tr^,  a  fox.) 
17.  A.  vulpes  (Gmelin).     THRESHER.     SWINGLE-TAIL.     Fox 
SHARK.     Color  gray.     L.  about  20  feet.     Open  sea;  occasionally 
on  our  coast.     (Eu.} 

2 


18  SELACHII:   SQUALL  —  IV. 

FAMILY  IX.    CARCHARIID^S.    (THE  SAND  SHARKS.) 

Body  elongate,  the  snout  sharp  ;  mouth  wide,  the  teeth  large, 
long,  narrow,  entire,  very  sharp,  most  of  the  teeth  with  one  or  two 
small  cusps  at  base  ;  gill  openings  all  in  front  of  pectorals  ;  dorsals 
small,  similar  to  the  anal  ;  tail  as  in  Galeorhinidce  ;  no  nictitating 
membrane  ;  spiracles  minute.  One  genus  and  3  species  ;  rather 
small  sharks,  of  the  Atlantic. 

13.  CARCHARIAS  Rafinesque.     (Odontaspis  Agassiz.) 
,  jagged.) 


a.  First  and  fourth  teeth  of  the  upper  jaw,  and  first  tooth  of  the  lower  without 
basal  cusps.     (Euyomphodus  Gill.) 

18.  C.  littoralis  (Mitchill).     SAND  SHARK.      Pectoral  short. 
Color  gray.    L.  6  feet.    Cape  Cod  to  S.  C.,  rather  common  N.    A 
voracious  little  shark.     (Lat.,  of  the  shore.) 

FAMILY  X.    LAMNID^E.     (THE  PORBEAGLES.) 

Body  robust,  contracted  to  a  rather  slender  tail,  which  has  a 
keel  on  each  side  ;  caudal  fin  lunate,  the  lower  lobe  nearly  as  large 
as  the  upper,  and  not  very  different  in  form  ;  teeth  large  ;  gill 
openings  wide,  all  in  front  of  pectorals  ;  first  dorsal  and  pectorals 
large  ;  second  dorsal  and  anal  very  small  ;  a  pit  at  root  of  caudal  ; 
spiracles  obsolete.  Large,  voracious  sharks  of  the  warm  seas. 
Genera  3,  species  about  6. 

a.  Teeth  slender,  sharp,  with  entire  edges;  tail  very  slender. 

b.  Teeth  very  slender,  flexuous,  without  basal  cusps    .     .    .    ISURUS,  14. 
bb.  Teeth  broader,  most  of  them  with  a  small  cusp  on  each  side  at  base. 

LAMNA,  15. 

aa.  Teeth  broad,  compressed,  triangular,  distinctly  serrate;  tail  rather  stout. 

CARCHARODON,  16. 

14.  ISURUS  Rafinesque.     (to-oj,  equal  ;  ovpd,  tail.) 

a.  First  dorsal  entirely  behind  pectorals,  nearly  midway  between  base  of  P. 
and  V.    (Isuropsis,  Gill.) 

19.  I.   dekayi    (Gill).     MACKEREL    SHARK.     Color    bluish. 
L.  15  feet.     W.  I.,  rarely  N.    (For  James  E.  Dekay,  author  of  the 
Fauna  of  New  York.) 

15.  LAMNA  Cuvier.     (Aa/zra,  a  kind  of  shark.) 

20.  L.  cornubica  (Gmelin).    PORBEAGLE.    MACKEREL  SHARK. 
First  dorsal  close  behind  pectorals  ;   snout  conical,  sharp  ;   back 
elevated  ;  third  tooth  on  each  side  in  upper  jaw  small.     L.  8  feet. 
Warm  seas,  frequently  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (•£«.)    (Lat.,  pertaining 
to  Cornwall.) 


SQUATINID.^.  —  XII. 

16.  CARCHARODON  Andrew  Smith.     (Kap^apos,  jagged ; 
o8o>i/,  tooth.) 

21.  C.  carcharias  (L.).    MAN-EATER  SHARK.     GREAT  WHITE 
SHARK.     First  dorsal  somewhat  behind  pectorals.     Color  leaden- 
gray,  P.  edged  with  black.    L.  25  feet.    Most  voracious  of  all  sharks, 
and  next  in  size  to  Cetorhinus,  weighing  nearly  a  ton.     Warm  seas, 
occasional  off  our  coasts.    Linnaeus  says,  "  Jonam  prophetam  ut  vete- 
res  Herculem,  in  hujus  trinoctem  ventriculo  tridui  spateo,  baesisse 
verosimile  est."     The  fossil  teeth  of  a  far  larger  extinct  species, 
Carcliarodon  megalodon,  are  often  found  in  tertiary  beds  along  our 
South  Atlantic  coast.    (Eu.)    (icapxTpias,  old  name  of  large  sharks.) 

FAMILY  XI.     CETORHINID^E.     (THE  BASKING  SHARKS.) 

Largest  of  all  fishes  ;  immense  sharks  with  the  gill  openings  ex- 
tremely wide,  nearly  meeting  above  and  below ;  mouth  moderate  ; 
teeth  very  small,  numerous,  conical,  simple ;  no  nictitating  mem- 
brane ;  spiracles  very  small ;  first  dorsal  and  pectorals  large ;  sec- 
ond and  anal  small ;  caudal  lunate,  the  upper  lobe  the  larger ;  tail 
keeled  on  the  side.  One  species,  a  huge,  sluggish  creature,  found 
in  Northern  seas. 

17.  CETORHINUS  Blainville.     (K^TOS,  whale  ;  pivrj,  a  shark.) 

22.  C.  maximus  (Gunner).      BASKING  SHARK.     Head  small, 
snout  blunt.     Gray.      L.  35  feet ;  depth  nearly  6  feet.     Open  sea, 
S.  to  Va.     (Eu.) 

FAMILY  XII.  SQUATINHXE.  (THE  ANGEL-FISHES.) 
Ray-like  sharks,  with  the  body  depressed,  the  pectoral  fins  very 
large,  expanded  in  the  plane  of  the  body,  the  anterior  margin  bear- 
ing some  resemblance  to  the  bend  of  the  wing  in  birds ;  ventrals 
very  large  ;  dorsal  fins  two,  small,  subequal,  behind  ventrals  ;  cau- 
dal small ;  no  anal ;  gill  openings  wide,  subinferior,  partly  hidden 
by  base  of  pectoral;  spiracles  wide,  crescent-shaped,  behind  eyes; 
mouth  and  nostrils  anterior  ;  teeth  small,  conical,  pointed,  distant. 
A  single  species,  in  most  seas.  The  singularly  formed  pectoral  fins 
give  an  absurd  resemblance  to  the  conventional  pictures  of  angels. 

18.  SQUATINA  Dumeril.     (Rhina  Giinther.)     (Latin  name, 

from  squatus,  skate.) 

23.  S.  squatina  (L.).    ANGEL-FISH.    MONK-FISH.    Skin  rough, 
with  small,  stiff  prickles ;  ashy  gray  above,  usually  much  mottled. 
L.  3  or  4  feet.     Warm  seas,  rarely  N.     (Eu.) 

ORDER  V.    JRAI^E.     (THE  RAYS.) 

The  Rays,  as  a  whole,  differ  from  the  sharks  in  having  the 
gill  openings  underneath  the  flat  disk  formed  by  the  body  and  the 


20  SELACHII:    RALE.  —  V. 

expanded  pectoral  fins.  The  tail  is  comparatively  slender,  and  its 
fins  are  small.  Spiracles  present.  The  Rajidce  produce  large  eggs, 
enclosed  in  leathery  cases;  most  of  the  other  Eaice  are  ovovi- 
viparous,  bringing  forth  their  young  alive. 

Families  of  Raise. 

a.  Tail  comparatively  thick,  with  two  dorsal  fins;  no  serrated  caudal  spine 

nor  cephalic  fins. 

b.  Snout  much  produced,  flat,  armed  with  strong  teeth  on  each  side,  set 
at  right  angles  to  its  axis ;  body  somewhat  shark-like,  the  disk  grad- 
ually passing  into  the  tail PRISTIDID.-E,  13. 

bb.  Snout  not  saw-like;  disk  ending  abruptly  at  base  of  tail. 

c.  Electric  organs  wanting;  skin  not  perfectly  smooth.      .    RAJIDCE,  14. 

cc.  Electric  organs  present;  a  structure  of  honeycomb-like  tubes  between 

pectoral  fins  and  head ;  skin  perfectly  smooth.  .     TOKPEDINID^E,  14. 

aa.  Tail  slender,  with  but  one  dorsal  fin  or  none,  and  usually  armed  with  a 

serrated  spine. 
d.  Pectoral  fins  uninterrupted,  confluent  about  the  snout;  teeth  small. 

DASYATID^E,  15. 

dd.  Pectoral  fins  divided,  leaving  detached  appendages  ("  cephalic  fins  ") 
on  the  snout. 

e.  Teeth  very  large,  flat,  tessellated AETOBATID.E,  16. 

ee.  Teeth  very  small,  flat  or  tubercular ;  size  enormous,  largest  of  the  rays. 

MANTIDJK,  17. 

FAMILY  XIII.    PRISTIDIDJE.     (THE  SAW-FISHES.) 

Rays  with  elongate  body,  stout,  thick  tail,  and  a  long  saw-like 
snout,  below  which  is  the  inferior  mouth  with  small  blunt  teeth. 
Dorsals  and  caudal  well  developed.  One  genus,  with  5  or  6  species, 
in  warm  seas. 

19.  PRISTIS  Latham.     (TrptVr?;?,  one  who  saws  ;  the  ancient 
name.) 

24.  P.  pectinatus  Latham.  SAW-FISH.  Saw  with  25  to  28 
pairs  of  spines.  L.  10  feet.  West  Indies;  occasional  N.  (Lat., 
comb-toothed.) 

FAMILY  XIV.    RAJIDCE.     (THE  SKATES.) 

Rays  with  the  disk  broad,  rhombic,  more  or  less  rough;  the 
males  usually  with  about  two  rows  of  strong  spines  on  each  pec- 
toral ;  tail  rather  stout,  with  a  fold  of  skin  on  each  side,  and  two 
dorsal  fins  above  ;  caudal  fin  small  or  obsolete  ;  no  serrated  spine  ; 
no  electric  organs.  Egg  in  a  large  leathery  case,  four-angled,  and 
having  two  tubular  horns  at  each  end.  Genera  4,  species  40, 
mostly  of  the  Northern  seas. 

a.  Caudal  fin  rudimentary ;   pectorals  not  confluent,  leaving  a  translucent 
area  at  the  snout ;  ventrals  deeply  notched RAJA,  20. 


TORPEDINID.E.  —  XV.  21 

20.  RAJA  (Artedi)  Linnseus.     (Raid  or  Raja,  the  Latin  name.) 

a.  Middle  line  of  back  and  tail  behind  shoulders,  unarmed  in  adult,  with  a  row 
of  spines  in  young;  outline  of  disk  before  spiracles  obtuse,  without 
acute  angle  at  tip  of  snout. 
5.  Rows  of  teeth  about  -|$-. 

25.  R.  erinacea  Mitchill.    COMMON  SKATE.      TOBACCO-BOX. 
Spines  largest  on  front  of  pectorals ;  smaller  ones  on  head,  back, 
and  shoulder  girdle.     Light  brown,  with  round  dark  spots.     L.  1£ 
feet.     Smallest  and  commonest  of  our  skates,  from  Va.  northward. 
(Lat.,  hedge-hog.) 

bb.  Rows  of  teeth  about  |i>. 

26.  R.  ocellata  Mitchill.     BIG  SKATE.     Similar  to  preceding, 
but  much  larger,  and  with  additional  rows  of  spines  along  the  back 
and  on  sides  of  tail.    Light  brown,  with  dark  spots  ;  usually  a  large 
white  ocellus  with  a  dark  centre  on  P.  behind.   L.  3  feet.    Mass.  N. 

aa.  Middle  line  of  back  and  tail  with  a  row  of  spines  at  all  ages;  outline  of 
disk  before  spiracles  forming  a  more  or  less  marked  angle  at  tip  of  snout. 
c.  Angle  at  tip  of  snout  short,  obtuse;  teeth  4.3.;  body  and  tail  with 
strong  spines  with  broad  stellate  bases. 

27.  R.  radiata  Donovan.     A  median  dorsal  row  of  large  spines 
or  bucklers  ;  others  about  head.     L.  1|  to  2  feet.    N.  Atl. ;  rather 
rare,  S.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Eu.) 

cc.  Angle  at  tip  of  snout  acute,  moderately  long;  teeth  AO  ;  no  coarse  spines 
or  bucklers. 

28.  R.  eglanteria  Lacepede.    Prickles  small  and  sharp  ;  a  large 
spine  on  each  shoulder.     Brown,  with  darker  bars  and  blotches. 
L.  2  feet.     Cape  Cod  southward  ;  not  common.    (Eglantine,  brier- 
rose.) 

ccc.  Angle  at  tip  of  snout  much  produced,  blunt;  teeth  |~o. 

29.  R.  laevis  Mitchill.     BARN-DOOR  SKATE.      Spines  of  body 
very  few  and  small,  on  head  and  back ;  a  row  of  larger  ones  on 
median  line  of  tail ;  female  rougher,  as  is  usual  among  rays ;  snout 
very  long,  somewhat  spatulate.     Color  brownish,  with  paler  spots 
mostly  ringed  with  darker.     L.  4  feet.     Va.  N. ;  not  rare.     (Lat. 
smooth.) 

FAMILY  XV.  TORPEDINID^E.  (THE  ELECTRIC  RAYS.) 
Trunk  broad  and  smooth,  the  tail  short  and  thick,  with  rayed 
caudal  and  usually  two  rayed  dorsals,  the  first  over  or  behind  ven- 
trals  ;  a  large  electric  organ  made  up  of  hexagonal  tubes,  between 
head  and  pectorals.  Genera  6,  species  15,  found  in  most  warm 
seas ;  noted  for  their  power  of  giving  electric  shocks. 

a.  Dorsal  fins  two ;  ventral s  separate;  spiracle  placed  nearly  an  eye's  diameter 
behind  eye TOKFEDO,  21. 


22  SELACHII:  RALE. —  v. 

21.  TORPEDO  Dumeril. 

30.  T.  occidentalis  Storer.  TORPEDO.  CRAMP-FISH.  NUMB- 
FISH. Black,  with  obscure  darker  blotches ;  spiracles  with  entire 
edges.  L.  3  to  5  feet.  Cape  Cod  S. ;  not  common. 

FAMILY  XVI.    DASYATID^E.     (THE  STING-RAYS.) 

Disk  broad,  the  pectorals  confluent  anteriorly,  forming  tip  of 
snout ;  tail,  usually  whip-like,  sometimes  short  and  stout,  with  or 
without  fins,  but  never  with  two  dorsals.  Tail  usually  armed  with 
a  sharp,  retrorsely  serrate  spine  above,  near  the  base  (this  often 
duplicated  and  sometimes  wanting) :  ventral  fins  entire.  Skin 
smooth  or  variously  rough,  the  adult  roughest.  Mouth  small,  with 
small  teeth.  Sexes  similar.  Genera  10,  species  50,  in  most 
warm  seas.  The  large  spine  or  "  sting  "  on  the  tail  in  most  species 
may  inflict  a  dangerous  wound. 

a.  Tail  slender,  whip-like,  without  caudal  fin,  longer  than  the  disk;  "sting" 

on  tail  strong DASYATIS,  22. 

aa.  Tail  very  slender  and  short,  shorter  than  the  very  broad  disk :  sting 
minute  or  wanting PTEROPLATEA,  23. 

22.  DASYATIS  Rafinesque.     (Trygon  Adanson.) 

(Sau-vs,  shaggy  or  rough ;  {farts,  skate.) 
a.  Tail  with  a  fold  on  its  lower  margin  only,  the  upper  edge  rounded. 

31.  D.  centrums  (Mitchill).      COMMON  STING-RAY.     CLAM- 
CRACKER.    STINGAREE.     Snout  not  prominent ;  disk  a  little  wider 
than  long;   tail  usually  not  quite  twice  length  of  disk.     Adult 
with  some  stellate  tubercles  on  back  and  tail.     Color  olive-brown. 
L.  12  feet.     Cape  Cod  S.,  common,     (nevrpov,  spine;  ovpd,  tail.) 
aa.  Tail  with  a  fold  of  skin  on  its  upper  as  well  as  lower  margin. 

32.  D.  say    (Le   Sueur).      SOUTHERN    STING-RAY.      WHIP- 
PAREE.     Snout  not  prominent ;  disk  a  little  wider  than  long  ;  tail 
nearly  twice  length  of  disk.     Body  and  tail  without  large  spines. 
N.  Y.,  S.     (To  Thomas  Say,  a  distinguished  zoologist.) 

23.  PTEROPLATEA,  Miiller  &  Henle. 

33.  P.  maclura  (Le  Sueur).     BUTTERFLY  RAY.     Disk  nearly 
twice  as  broad  as  long,  three  times  as  long  as  tail ;  sting  on  tail 
usually  obsolete.     Olive-brown,  finely  marbled  and  speckled ;  tail 
with  four  dark  blotches  :  front  edge  of  disk  with  pale  half-circular 
spots.     Va.  S.     (To  William  Maclure.) 

FAMILY  XVII.    AETOBATID^B.     (THE  EAGLE  RAYS.) 
Pectoral  fins  interrupted,  reappearing  on  tip  of  snout  as  one  or 
two  detached  appendages  or  cephalic  fins ;  skull  somewhat  elevated, 
so  that  eyes  and  spiracles  are  lateral ;  teeth  large,  flat,  hexangular, 


MANTID.E.  —  XVIII.  23 

the  middle  series  largest.     Otherwise  essentially  as  in  Dasyatidce. 
Genera  3,  species  20,  in  the  warm  seas. 

«.  Snout  entire. 

b.  Teeth  very  broad,  in  one  series STOASODON,  24. 

bb.  Teeth  in  several  series AETOBATIS,  25. 

aa.  Snout  emarginate ;  teeth  in  several  series RHIXOPTERA,  26. 

24.   STOASODON  Cantor.     (Aetobatis  Miiller  &  Henle.) 
(oroa,  arcade ;  68ovs,  tooth.) 

34.  S.  narinari  (Euphrasen).     BISHOP  RAY.     Disk  twice  as 
broad  as  long.     Tail  very  long,  three  or  four  times  disk.     Brown 
with  many  round  yellowish  spots.     Warm  seas,  N.  to  Va.     (Nari- 
nari, the  Brazilian  name.) 

25.  AETOBATIS  Blainville  (1816).    (Myliobatis  Dumeril,  1817.) 
(a  TO?,  eagle ;  /3an's,  ray.) 

35.  A.  freminvillii  (Le  Sueur).     EAGLE  RAY.     Skin  smooth  ; 
color  reddish  brown.     Cape  Cod  S.     Scarce.     (For  Christian  Pau- 
lin  de  Freminville,  author  of  some  papers  on  Plectognaths.) 

26.   RHINOPTERA  Kuhl. 

36.  R.  bonasus  (Mitchill).     COW-NOSED  RAY.     Cephalic   fin 
emarginate,  and  placed  below  level  of  pectorals,  so  that  the  snout 
appears  four-lobed  when  viewed  from  the  front.     Skin   nearly 
smooth.     Cape  Cod  S.     "  He  enters  the  bay  and  ranges  very  exten- 
sively the  flats  where  the  soft  clam  lives.     These  shell-fish  he  is 
supposed   to  devour,  for  a  shoal  of  cow-noses  root  up  the  salt- 
water flats  as  completely  as  a  drove  of  hogs  would  do."  (Mitchill.) 
(R.  quadriloba  Le  Sueur.)     (Lat.,  a  buffalo.) 

FAMILY  XVIII.    MANTID^E.     (THE  SEA  DEVILS.) 

Rays  of  immense  size,  similar  to  the  Aetobatidce,  but  with  the 
cephalic  fins  forming  long  ear-like  appendages,  and  with  the  teeth 
very  small.     Skin  rough.     Genera  2,  species  7 ;  among  the  largest 
of  all  fishes,  found  in  warm  seas, 
a.  Teeth  in  lower  jaw  only ;  mouth  terminal MANTA,  27. 

27.  MANTA  Bancroft. 

(Manta,  blanket,  "  a  name  used  at  the  pearl  fisheries  of  Panama, 
for  an  enormous  fish  much  dreaded  by  the  divers,  whom  it  is  said 
to  devour,  after  enveloping  them  in  its  vast  wings.") 

37.  M.   birostria  (Walbaum).    SEA  DEVIL.     MANTA.    Disk 
not  quite  twice  as  broad  as  long;  tail  as  long  as  disk.     Brown; 
disk  12  feet  long;  its  breadth  about  20.     Tropical   seas,   N.   to 
Delaware  Bay.     (Lat.  bis,  two ;  rostrum,  snout.) 


24  HOLOCEPHALI. 


SUBCLASS  HOLOCEPHALI. 

This  group,  defined  on  page  13,  is  equivalent  to  the 

ORDER  VI.    HOLOCEPHALI. 

Skeleton  cartilaginous  ;  gill  cavity  with  four  clefts  within,  but 
externally  with  a  single  opening,  which  is  covered  by  a  fold  of  skin 
within  which  is  a  rudimentary  opercle.  No  spiracles.  Jaws  with- 
out separate  teeth,  but  armed  with  bony  plates.  Notochord  persist- 
ent, the  vertebrae  consisting  of  rings  around  a  notochordal  sheath. 
No  air-bladder  ;  intestine  with  a  spiral  valve  ;  skin  smooth,  with  a 
highly  developed  mucous  system.  Dorsals  each  with  a  strong 
spine.  One  family.  (6Xos,  solid  ;  jce^aAq,  head.) 


FAMILY  XIX.     CHIM^ERIDJE. 

Forehead  of  males  with  a  movable  cartilaginous  hook,  turned 
forward  and  armed  with  prickles  at  tip.  Oviparous,  the  egg- 
cases  elliptical,  with  silky  filaments.  Two  genera,  5  or  6  species, 
in  cold  waters.  Fishes  of  most  singular  appearance,  unlike  any- 
thing else. 

a.  Snout  soft,  not  ending  in  a  cutaneous  flap;  tail  not  bent  upward. 

CHIMERA,  28. 

28.   CHIM.ZERA  Linnaeus. 

(X//iatpa,  Chimcera,  a  fabulous  monster,  with  the  head  of  a  lion, 
body  of  a  goat,  and  tail  of  a  serpent.) 

38.  C.  affinis  Capello.  Color  plumbeous.  Cold  or  deep  water, 
S.  to  Cape  Cod.  (Eu.)  (Lat.,  related,  —  to  C.  monstrosa.} 


TELEOSTOMI.  25 


SUBCLASS  TELEOSTOMI.    (THE  TKUE  FISHES.) 


Skeleton  usually  bony,  sometimes  cartilaginous*  Skull  with 
sutures ;  membrane  bones  (opercle,  preopercle,  etc.)  present ;  gill 
openings  a  single  slit  on  each  side ;  gills  with  their  outer  edges 
free,  their  bases  attached  to  bony  arches,  normally  four  pairs  of 
these,  the  fifth  pair  being  modified  into  tooth-bearing  pharyngeals ; 
median  and  paired  fins  developed,  the  latter  with  distinct  rays. 
Ova  small ;  no  claspers.  Heart  developed,  divided  into  an  auricle, 
ventricle,  and  arterial  bulb.  Lungs  imperfectly  developed,  or  modi- 
fied to  form  a  swim-bladder,  or  entirely  absent. 

We  here  include  under  one  head  the  Ganoids  and  the  Teleosts. 
The  former  type  is  chiefly  composed  of  extinct  forms.  While 
many  of  its  representatives  are  extremely  dissimilar  to  the  bony 
fishes,  there  is  a  gradual  series  of  transitions,  and  between  the 
Halecomorpld  of  the  Ganoids  and  the  Isospondyli  of  the  true 
Teleosts,  the  resemblance  is  much  greater  than  that  between  the 
Halecomorphi  and  many  other  Ganoids  The  Ganoids  are,  in  fact, 
the  most  generalized  of  the  true  fishes,  those  nearest  the  stock  from 
which  the  Teleosts  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Dipnoi  and  Batraclria 
on  the  other,  have  sprung.  The  real  value  or  rank  of  some  of 
the  current  orders  or  suborders  is  still  doubtful.  (rtXeoy,  perfect ; 
o-To^ia,  mouth.)  Omitting  orders  not  represented  in  our  waters, 
we  have  the  following  analysis  of 

Orders  of  True  Pishes. 

a.  Arterial  bulb  muscular,  with  numerous  valves;  optic  nerves  forming  a 
solid  chiasma;  ventrals  abdominal;  air-bladder  with  a  duct;  tail 
strongly  heterocercal  throughout  life;  some  fins  usually  with  fulcra. 
(Series  GANOIDEI.) 

b.  Skeleton  cartilaginous;   ventrals  with  an  entire  series  of  basilar  seg- 
ments.    (Chondrostei.) 

c.  Maxillary  and  interopercle  obsolete;  skin  naked;  air-bladder  cellular. 

SELACHOSTOMI,  VII. 

cc.  Maxillary  and  interopercle  present;  skin  with  bony  shields;   air- 
bladder  simple GLANIOSTOMI,  VIII. 

bb.  Skeleton  bony;  ventrals  with  basilar  segments  rudimentary;  air-bladder 
cellular.     (Holostei.) 

d.  Vertebrae  opisthocoelian    (concavo-convex)  ;   maxillary  transversely 

divided  in  several  pieces ;  scales  rhombic,  enamelled  plates. 

GlNGLYMODI,   IX. 


26  TELEOSTOML 

dd.  Vertebra?  amphicoelian  (double  concave);  maxillary  not  transversely 

divided;  scales  cycloid HALECOMORPHI.  X. 

aa.  Arterial  bulb  thin,  with  a  pair  of  opposite  valves;  optic  nerves  crossing, 

not  forming  a  solid  chiasma.    (Series  TELEOSTEI.) 

e.  Air-bladder  (if  present)  connected  by  an  air-duct  with  the  intestinal 
canal,  this  persistent  throughout  life ;  ventral  fins  (if  present)  abdomi- 
nal, without  spines,  their  basilar  segments  rudimental.     (Soft-rayed 
fishes.)     (Physostomi.) 
f.  Shoulder  girdle  attached  to  the  skull  by  means  of  a  post-temporal  bone 

(suprascapula) ;  form  not  eel-like. 
g.  Praecoracoid  arch,  present. 

h.  Maxillary  bone  imperfect,  forming  the  base  of  a  long  barbel ;   no 

subopercle  nor  symplectic  bone  ;    four  anterior  vertebrae   much 

modified,  co-ossified,  and  with  an  ossicula  auditus;  supraoccipitals 

and  parietals  co-ossified;  no  scales.      .     .    NEMATOGNATHI,  XI. 

hh.  Maxillary  bone  perfect,  not  entering  into  a  barbel  (rarely  entirely 

wanting);  subopercle  and  symplectic  bone  present. 
».  Anterior  vertebras    modified,  co-ossified,   and  with    the  ossicula 

auditUS EVENTOGNATHI,  XII. 

ii.  Anterior  vertebrae  similar  to  the  others,  separate,  and  without 

ossicula  auditus ISOSPONDYLI,  XIII. 

gg,  Praacoracoid  arch  obsolete;  anterior  vertebrae  not  modified;  parie- 
tal bones  separated  by  supraoccipital ;  head  scaly. 

HAPLOMI,  XIV. 

ff.  Shoulder  girdle  not  attached  to  the  skull;   no  praecoracoid  arch; 
parietal  bones  in  contact;  maxillary  wanting  or  united  with  the 

palatines;  form  eel-like APODES,  XV. 

ee.  Air-bladder  without  duct  (in  the  adult) ;  ventral  fins  without  basal  seg- 
ments, usually  anterior  in  position ;  spines  usually  present  in  the  fins ; 
pectoral  fins  not  on  the  plane  of  the.  abdomen  ;  parietal  bones  usu- 
ally separated  by  the  supraoccipital.  (Spiny-rayed  fishes  chiefly.) 
(Physoclysti.) 

j.  Shoulder  girdle  connected  to  the  skull  by  a  post-temporal. 
k.  Lower  pharyngeals  co-ossified;  no  spines;  ventrals  abdominal;  lateral 

line  on  side  of  abdomen SYNENTOGNATHI,  XVI. 

Tck.  Lower  pharyngeals  separate  (or  united,  and    the    dorsal  fin  with 

spines.) 

/.  Gills  tufted;  pharyngeal  bones  and  most  of  the  branchihyals  want- 
ing; skin  with  bony  plates LOPHOBRANCHII,  XVII. 

//.  Gills  pectinate  (as  usual  in  fishes). 
m.   Superior  branchihyals  and  pharyngeals  reduced  in    number  ; 

ventrals  sub-abdominal HEMIBRANCHII,  XVIII. 

•mm.  Superior  branchihyals  and  pharyiigeals  in  normal  development. 

n.  Ventral  fins  abdominal PERCESOCES,  XIX. 

nn.  Ventral  fins  thoracic  or  jugular. 

o.  Pectoral  fins  not  pediculate,  the  gill  openings  in  front  of  them. 
p.  Bones  of  the  jaws  distinct. 

q.  Cranium  normal ACANTHOPTERI,  XX. 

qq[.  Cranium  twisted,  so  that  both  eyes  are  on  the  same  side 
of  head;  no  fin  spines.  .    .     HETEROSOMATA,  XXI. 


ARTIFICIAL  KEY.  .     27 

pp.  Bones  of  jaws  co-ossified,   the  maxillary  with  the  pre- 
maxillary,  the  dentary  with  the  articular. 

PLECTOGNATHI,  XXII. 

oo.  Pectoral  fins  pediculate,  the  basal  bones  reduced  in  number 
and  elongate,  the  gills  in  their  axils.    PEDICULATI,  XXIII. 

More  than  two  hundred  families  are  now  recognized  among  the 
true  fishes.  The  characters  on  which  family  divisions  are  based 
are  usually  internal,  and  often  difficult  for  the  beginner  to  ascer- 
tain. The  boundaries  and  definitions  of  many  families  are  also 
still  uncertain.  Instead,  therefore,  of  giving  a  natural  analysis 
under  each  order  of  the  families  included  within  it,  I  have  thought 
it  best  to  give  instead  an  Artificial  Key  by  which  the  student  can 
recognize  any  of  the  families  of  True  Fishes  included  in  this  work. 
For  analytical  keys  showing,  in  some  degree,  the  natural  charac- 
ters, the  student  is  referred  to  Jordan  and  Gilbert's  Synopsis  of  the 
Fishes  of  North  America.  A  repetition  of  these  analytical  tables 
would  consume  considerable  space,  and  would  not  be  of  much  aid 
to  any  but  advanced  students. 

Artificial  Key  to  the  Families  of  True  Fishes  included  in  the 
Present  Work. 

SERIES  I.   VENTRAL  FINS  PRESENT,  ABDOMINAL. 

A.  Dorsal  fins  two,  the  anterior  rayed,  the  posterior  adipose. 
JB.  Body  naked ;  head  with  4  to  8  barbels ;  dorsal  and  pectoral  each  with 

a  strong  spine SILURID^E,  24. 

BB.  Body  scaly;  no  barbels;  no  spines. 

C.  Maxillary  wanting,  or  grown  fast  to  premaxillary  ;  head  scaly. 

SYXODONTID^E,  32. 
CC.  Maxillaries  distinct;  head  naked. 
D.  Scales  ctenoid;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  premaxillaries 

alone •.     .     PERCOPSID^E,  35. 

DD.  Scales  cycloid;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed  in  part  by  maxil- 

laries. 
E.  Stomach  a  blind  sac,  with  few  pyloric  caeca.    (Smelt,  etc.) 

ARGENTINID^E,  33. 

EE.  Stomach  siphonal,  with  many  pyloric  caeca.     SALMONID^E,  34. 
AA.  Dorsal  fin  single,  with  free  spines  before  it;  body  naked,  or  with  bony 

plates ;  ventral  rays,  I,  1, GASTEROSTEID^E,  45. 

AAA.  Dorsal  fins  two,  the  anterior  of  simple  rays  or  spines,  the  posterior 

chie%of  soft  rays;  ventrals,  I,  5. 

F.  Teeth  very  strong,  unequal ;  a  lateral  line  present.       SPH YR^ENID^E,  48. 
FF.  Teeth  small,  subequal;  no  lateral  line. 

G.  Dorsal  spines  slender,  4  to  8;  anal  spine  1.      .     .    ATHEKINID^E,  47. 

GG.  Dorsal  spines  stout,  4;  anal  spines,  2  or  3.    .    .     .    MUGILID^E,  46. 

AAAA.  Dorsal  fin  single,  of  soft  rays  only  (sometimes  preceded  by  fulcra  or 

followed  by  finlets). 

H.  Tail  evidently  heterocercal.    (Ganoid  fishes.) 
/.  Caudal  forked,  the  lower  lobe  well  developed. 


28  TELEOSTOMI. 

J.  Body  naked;  snout  epatulate;  mouth  wide,  without  barbels  ;  caudal 
with  fulcra  ......    .    .....    POLYODONTID^E,  20. 

JJ.  Body  with  5  series  of  bony  shields;    head  with  bony  shields; 
mouth  inferior,  toothless,  preceded  by  4  barbels;  fins  with  fulcra. 

ACIPENSERID.E,  21. 

II.  Caudal  rounded  or  lanceolate  ;  head  with  a  bony  casque. 
X.  Scales  ganoid  (rhombic,  enamelled  plates);  no  gular  plate;  fins  with 
fulcra;  dorsal  fin  short  ........    LEPISOSTEID^E,  22. 

XX.  Scales  cycloid  ;  a  bony  gular  plate  ;  no  fulcra  ;  dorsal  long. 

AMIIDJE,  23. 

HH.  Tail  not  evidently  heterocercal  (except  in  the  very  young). 
Y.  Scales  cycloid. 

K.  Side  of  belly  with  a  conspicuous  ridge  or  lateral  line  ;  pectoral  fins 

inserted  high,  on  or  above  the  axis  of  the  body  ;  lower  lobe  of 

caudal  longest;  lower  pharyngeals  united.      .    EXOCCETIDJE,  42. 

KK.  Edge  of  belly  without  conspicuous  ridge  or  lateral  line;  pectoral 

fins  inserted  usually  below  axis  of  body  ;  lower  pharyngeals 

separate. 

M.  Vent  before  ventrals  ;  eyes  rudimentary.   .    AMBLYOPSID.E,  36. 
MM.  Vent  behind  ventrals  ;  eyes  normal. 
N.  Head  more  or  less  scaly. 

0.  Upper  jaw  not  protractile,  its  margin  formed  by  maxillaries 

posteriorly. 
P.  Teeth  cardiform,  unequal  .......    ESOCID^E,  3J. 

PP.  Teeth  villiform,  equal  .......    UMBRID.E.  38. 

00.  Upper  jaw  very  protractile,  its  edge  formed  by  premaxil- 
laries  alone  ........    CYPRINODONTIDJS,  37. 

NN.  Head  without  scales. 

Q.  Gill  membranes  united  with  the  isthmus;  lower  pharyngeals 

falciform  ;  mouth  toothless  ;  anterior  vertebrae  coalesced. 
H.  Pharyngeal  teeth  larger,  in  one  or  more  rows,  the  main 
row  with  less  than  8  teeth;    dorsal  (in  native  species) 
with  less  than  10  rays  ......    CYPRINID^;,  20. 

RR.  Pharyngeal  teeth  very  numerous,  in  one  row;  dorsal  rays 
ten  or  more  ........    CATOSTOMIDJE,  25. 

QQ.  Gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus;  lower  pharyngeals 

flattish  ;  anterior  vertebras  not  modified. 
S.  Lateral  line  present. 

T.  Lower  jaw  with  a  gular  plate  ;  fins  with  scaly  sheaths. 

ELOPID.E,  29. 
TT.  Lower  jaw  without  gular  plate. 

U.  Tongue  with  canine  teeth  ;  mouth  terminal,  oblique. 

HlODONTID^E,  27. 

UU.  Tongue  with  blunt  teeth  ;  mouth  inferior,  horizontal. 


SS.  Lateral  line  wanting. 

V.  Mouth  very  wide,  the  maxillary  reaching  much  beyond 
eye  ;  snout  short  ......     STOLEPHORIDJS,  31. 

VV.  Mouth  moderate,   the  maxillary  scarcely  extending 
beyond  eye    ........    CLUPEID^S,  30. 

YY-  Scales  none;  caudal  with  a  long  filament;  snout  long,  tubular, 
with  the  small  mouth  at  the  end.  .  .    FISTULARIID^.  44. 


ARTIFICIAL   KEY.  29 

SERIES  II.  VENTRAL  FINS  PRESENT,  THORACIC  OR  JUGULAR. 
A.  Eyes  unsymmetrical,  both  on  same  side  of  head.   .   PLEURONECTID^E,  89. 
A  A.  Eyes  symmetrical. 
B.  Gill  openings  in  front  of  pectorals. 

C.  Body  more  or  less  scaly,  or  armed  with  bony  plates. 
D.  Ventral  fins  united  into   one;   no  lateral  line;    gill   membranes 

joined  to  isthmus. GOBHD.E,  82. 

DD.  Ventral  fins  separate. 
E.  Top  of  head  with  a  large  sucking-disk,  modified  from  the  spinous 

dorsal ECHENEIDID.E,  50. 

EE.  Top  of  head  without  sucking-disk. 
F.  Ventral  rays,  I,  5. 

G.  Suborbital  with  a  bony  stay  which  extends  across  the  cheeks 
to  or  towards  the  preopercle;  cheeks  sometimes  entirely 
bony. 

H.  Pectoral  fin  with  2  or  3  lower  rays  detached  and  separate. 

TKIGLID.E,  76. 
HE.  Pectoral  fin  entire;   slit  behind  fourth  gill  small,  or 

wanting. 
/.  Dorsal  spines,  9  to  17 ;  anal  spines  three ;  eyes  lateral. 

SCORP-SNID^E,  72. 

II.  Dorsal  spines,  four;  eyes  superior.    URANOSCOPID^E,  81. 
GG.  Suborbital  stay  wanting;  cheeks  not  mailed. 
K.  Dorsal  spines  all  or  nearly  all  unconnected  by  membrane. 

L.  Body  elongate,  subterete ELACATID^E,  51. 

LL.  Body  oblong  or  ovate,  compressed. 
M.  Caudal  peduncle  very  slender,  the  fin  widely  forked. 

CARANGID^E,  56. 
M M.  Caudal  peduncle  stout,  the  fin  little  forked. 

STROMATEIDJE,  58. 

KK.  Dorsal  spines,  if  present,  mostly  connected  by  membrane. 
N.  Dorsal  and  anal  each  with  4  or  more  finlets;  scales  minute. 

SCOMBRID^E,  55. 

NN.  Dorsal  and  anal  without  finlets,  or  with  but  one  each. 
0.  Throat  with  two  long  barbels   ....    MULLID^E,  67. 
00.  Throat  without  barbels. 
P.  Anal  preceded  by  two  free  spines  (these  often  obsolete 

with  age). 

Q.  Scales  very  small,  cycloid.     .    .    CARANGID^E,  56. 
QQ.  Scales  moderate,  ctenoid.     .     .  POMATOMID^E,  57. 
PP.  Anal  without  free  spines. 

R.  Tail  with  a  fleshy  keel  on  each  side. 

CARANGID^S,  56. 
RR.  Tail  not  keeled. 

S.  Dorsal  fin   very  long,   without    distinct    spines; 

caudal  deeply  forked.       .    CORYPH^ENID^:,  59. 

SS.  Dorsal  fin  with  distinct  spines;  gill  membranes 

free  from  isthmus. 
T.  Vomer  with  teeth. 

U.  Anal  spines  none ;  eyes  on  top  of  head. 

URANOSCOPID^,  81. 
U  U.  Anal  spines,  one  or  two. 


30  TELEOSTOMI. 

P.  Anal  rays  more  than  20 POMATOMIDJE,  57. 

VV.  Anal  rays  less  than  20 PKRCID.E,  63. 

UUU.  Anal  spines  three. 

\V.  Pseudobranchiae  small,  fleshy,  covered  by  skin. 

CENTRARCHID.E,  62. 
WW.  Pseudobranchiae  large,  exposed. 
X.  Maxillary  slipping  under  preorbital  for  its  whole  length. 

SPARID.E,  66. 
XX.  Maxillary  not  slipping  under  preorbital  for  its  whole  length. 

SEURANIDJE,  64. 

UUUU.  Anal  spines,  4  to  10 CENTRARCHIDJE,  62. 

TT.  Vomer  without  teeth. 

F.  Teeth  setiform  (tooth-brush  like)  ;   soft  parts  of  vertical   fins 
densely  scaly;  body  elevated ;  dorsal  deeply  notched. 

EPHIPPID.E,  71. 
YY.  Teeth  not  setiform. 
Z.  Lateral  line  obsolete ;  dorsal  spines  about  4. 

ELASSOMATID.E,  61. 
ZZ.  Lateral  line  present. 

a.  Anal  spines  1  or  2;  a  large  slit  behind  fourth  gill. 

b.  Lateral  line  extending  on  caudal  fin ;  snout  scaly.    .     .     SCIJKNIDJE,  68. 
bb.  Lateral  line  not  extending  on  caudal  fin ;  snout  scaleless. 

PEKCID^E,  63. 
aa.  Anal  spines  3. 

c.  Slit  behind  fourth  gill  none;  lower  pharyngeals  completely  united; 

jaws  with  canines  in  front LABRID^E,  70. 

cc.  Slit  behind  fourth  gill  large. 
d.  Anal  with  more  than  15  soft  rays;  preopercle  serrate. 

STROMATEID^S,  58. 
dd.  Anal  with  less  than  15  soft  rays. 

e.  Maxillary  slipping  beneath  the  broad  preorbital  for   its  whole 

length;  dorsal  spines  more  than  10 SPARID^E,  66. 

ee.  Maxillary  not  slipping  beneath  the  narrow  preorbital. 
y  Dorsal  spines  12;   premaxillaries  moderately  protractile;  pseu- 

dobranchiae  large LOBOTIDJS,  65. 

yy  Dorsal  spines  9  or  10;    premaxillaries  extremely  protractile; 

pseudobranchiae  concealed GERRID^E,  69. 

FF.  Ventral  fins  with  or  without  spine;  the  number  of  rays  not  I,  5. 

x.  Upper  jaw  prolonged  in  a  sword ISTIOPHORIDJS,  53. 

xx.  Upper  jaw  not  sword-like. 

f.  Dorsal  fin  low,  of  spines  only BLENNIID^E,  83. 

ff.  Dorsal  fin  of  spines  anteriorly,  of  soft  rays  posteriorly. 
g.  Ventral  rays  7;  vent  anterior;  dorsal  spines  3  or  4. 

APHREDODERID^S,  60. 
gg.  Ventral  rays  1, 1;  dorsal  spines  free;  vent  normal;  body  mailed. 

GASTEKOSTEID^E,  45. 
ggg.  Ventral  rays  1,4;  body  scaly;  pectoral  fin  divided  to  base  in 

two  unequal  parts CEPHALACANTHID^E,  75. 

fff.  Dorsal  of  soft  rays  anteriorly,  with  low  spines  posteriorly. 

LYCODID.E,  86. 
ffff.  Dorsal  fin  of  soft  rays  only. 


ARTIFICIAL  KEY.  31 

h.  Dorsal  fin  very  short ;  body  mailed AGONID.E,  74. 

hh.  Dorsal  fin  very  long;  body  with  small  scales. 
i.  Dorsal  and  anal  joined  to  the  caudal. 
j.  Gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus;  ventrals  very  slender, 

barbel-like OPHIDIID.E,  87. 

jj.  Gill  membranes  united  to  the  isthmus.    .    .    LYCODID^:,  86. 
ii.  Dorsal  and  anal  free  from  caudal;  tail  isocercal.     GADID.*:,  88. 
CC.  Body  scaleless,  smooth  or  more  or  less  prickly  or  warty. 
k.  Breast  with  a  sucking-disk. 

I.  Gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus ;  no  spinous  dorsal. 

GOBIESOCID.E,  80. 

II.  Gill  membranes  attached  to  the  isthmus. 

m.  Skin  smooth LIPARIDID^E,  77. 

mm.  Skin  warty CYCLOPTERID/E,  78. 

IcTc.  Breast  without  sucking-disk. 
n.  Ventrals  completely  united.  .......    GOBIID  &,  82. 

nn.  Ventrals  separate. 
o.  Ventral  rays  I,  5. 
p.  Dorsal  and  anal  with  finlets.  .    .    .    SCOMBRHXE,  55. 

pp.  Dorsal  and  anal  without  finlets;  two  free  anal  spines. 

CARANGID^E,  56. 
oo.  Ventral  rays  less  than  I,  5. 

q.  Upper  jaw  prolonged  into  a  sword.   ISTIOPHORID^E,  53. 
qq.  Upper  jaw  not  prolonged  into  a  sword. 
r.  Suborbital  with  a  bony  stay.    .    .    .    COTTID^E,  73. 

rr.  Suborbital  without  bony  stay. 
s.  Dorsal  spines  two  or  three ;  teeth  strong. 

BATRACHID.fi,  79. 

ss.  Dorsal  spines  4  to  6 ;  teeth  small. 

GASTEROSTEID^E,  45. 
sss.  Dorsal  spines  numerous ;  teeth  comb-like. 

BLENNIID.E,  83. 

BB.  Gill  openings  small,  behind  the  pectoral  fins,  which  are  pediculate. 
t.  Gill  openings  in  or  behind  lower  axil  of  pectorals ;  mouth  large, 

terminal. 
«.  Pseudobranchiae  present;  head   broad,   depressed;    mouth  very 

large,  with  large  unequal  teeth LOPHIID^E,  96. 

uu.  Pseudobranchiae  none  ;  head  compressed ;  teeth  small. 

ANTENNARIID.E,  95. 

tt.  Gill  openings  in  or  behind  upper  axil  of  pectorals;  mouth  small, 
below  a  projecting  snout MALTHID^E,  94. 

SERIES  III.    VENTRAL  FINS  ENTIRELY  WANTING. 

A.  Gill  membranes  joined  to  the  isthmus,  so  that  the  gill  openings  of  the  two 

sides  are  not  connected. 
B.  Dorsal  fin  single,  of  spines  only  (these  sometimes  slender,  like  soft  rays). 

C.  Molar  teeth  present ANARRHICHADIDJE,  85. 

CC.  Molar  teeth  none. 

D.  Mouth  vertical ;  body  naked.      .     .    .    CRYPTACAXTHODID.E,  84. 
DD.  Mouth  not  vertical ;  body  scaly BLKXSIIDJB,  83. 


32  PISCES.  —  GANOIDEL 

BB.  Dorsal  fins  two,  the  anterior  spinous;  teeth  incisor-like. 

BALISTHXE.  90. 

BBB.  Dorsal  fin  single,  of  soft  rays  only. 
E.  Snout  tubular,   bearing  the  short  toothless  jaws  at  the  end;   body 

mailed SYNGNATHID^E,  43. 

EE.  Snout  not  tubular. 
F.  Body  elongate,  eel-shaped;  maxillaries  and  premaxillaries  coales- 

cent  with  vomer  and  palatines. 

G.  Lower   jaw    projecting  ;    skin   covered    with    linear    imbedded 
scales  arranged  at  right  angles  with  each  other. 

ANGUILLID.E,  40. 

GG.  Lower  jaw  not  projecting;  skin  scaleless.  .    .    ECHELID^E,  41. 
FF.  Body  not  eel-shaped. 
H.  Breast  with  a  sucking-disk. 

1.  Skin  smooth LIPARIDID^E,  77. 

//.  Skin  warty CYCLOPTEKID.E,  78. 

HE.  Breast  without  sucking  disk. 
J.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  confluent  into  one. 

K.  Body  compressed,  the  skin  rough MOLID.E,  93. 

KK.  Body  not  compressed,  armed  with  spines. 

DlODONTID^E,  92. 

JJ.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  confluent  into  two.      TETKAODONTID^E,  91. 
A  A.  Gill  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus. 

L.  Vent  at  the  throat ;  vertical  fins  separate.      .     .    AMBLYOPSID^E,  36. 
LL.  Vent  normal. 

M.  Caudal  fin  wanting ;  body  naked TRICHIURID^E,  54. 

MM.  Caudal  fin  present. 

N.  Upper  jaw  produced  in  a  sword XIPHIID^E,  52. 

NN.  Upper  jaw  without  sword. 

0.  Body  ovate,  much  compressed STROMATEIDJE,  58. 

00.  Body  oblong  or  elongate ;  gill  membranes  not  united. 
P.  Jaws  toothless,  the  lower  projecting       .    AMMODYTID^E,  49. 
PP.  Jaws  with  teeth,  the  lower  not  projecting.    OPHIDIID^E,  87. 


SERIES  GANOIDEI.    (THE  GANOID  FISHES.) 

The  name  Ganoidei  was  first  used  by  Agassiz  for  those  fishes 
which  are  armed  with  bony  plates,  instead  of  regular  cycloid  or 
ctenoid  scales.  Later,  Johannes  Miiller,  one  of  the  greatest  of 
systematic  zoologists,  restricted  the  group  to  those  fishes  which 
show  more  or  less  distinct  reptilian  or  batrachian  affinities,  and 
especially  affinities  with  the  mailed  fishes  of  the  Devonian  and 
Carboniferous  ages.  The  group  is  a  heterogeneous  one,  and  one 
practically  scarcely  susceptible  of  definition.  Some  of  the  Ganoids 
are  closely  allied  to  the  Teleosts ;  some  approach  the  Dipnoi,  and 
some  again  resemble  the  Holocephali.  The  existence  of  the  solid 
optic  chiasma,  the  presence  of  several  valves  in  the  arterial  bulb, 
and  of  a  more  or  less  developed  spiral  valve  in  the  rectum,  distin- 


POLYODONTHLE.  —  XX.  33 

guish  the  living  Ganoids  from  all  Teleosts,  but  none  of  these  char- 
acters can  be  verified  in  the  extinct  forms.  It  seems  to  us  better 
not  to  regard  the  Ganoids  as  a  separate  class  or  subclass,  but  to 
unite  them  with  the  Teleosts.  (yavos,  splendor,  from  the  enam- 
elled scales.) 

ORDER  VII.    SELACHOSTOMI. 

This  order  contains  but  one  family.  (jreXa^oy,  shark  or  other 
cartilaginous  fish;  oro/za,  mouth.) 

FAMILY  XX.     POLYODONTID^J.      (THE  PADDLE- 
FISHES.) 

Body  fusiform,  the  skin  mostly  smooth;  snout  prolonged  in  a 
flat,  spatulate  blade,  which  overhangs  the  broad,  terminal  mouth ; 
the  "spatula  "  with  a  reticulated  framework ;  teeth  very  numerous, 
minute,  disappearing  with  age ;  opercle  rudimentary,  its  skin  pro- 
duced in  a  long  flap;  gills  4£;  no  pseudobranchiae ;  gill  rakers  very 
long,  in  two  rows,  separated  by  membrane ;  gill  membranes  con- 
nected, free  from  isthmus ;  one  branchiostegal ;  spiracles  present. 
C.  fin  with  fulcra ;  D.  posterior ;  tail  heterocercal,  the  lower  lobe 
nearly  as  long  as  the  upper;  sides  of  tail  with  rhombic  plates; 
air-bladder  large,  cellular ;  stomach  caecal,  the  pyloric  casca  form- 
ing a  branching,  leaf-like  organ.  Singular  fishes,  feeding  on  mud 
and  minute  organisms  which  they  stir  up  on  the  bottom  with  the 
long  oar-like  snout.  Two  species,  Psephurus  gladius  of  rivers  of 
China,  and  the  following. 

a.  Gill  rakers  very  fine  and  numerous;  caudal  fulcra  many,  small. 

POLYODON,  29. 

29.  POLYODON   (Lace'pede)   Bloch  &  Schneider. 
(TToXuy,  many ;   68a>v,  tooth.) 

39.  P.  spathula  (Walbaum).  PADDLE-FISH.  SPOON-BILL. 
DUCK-BILLED  CAT.  Olivaceous  ;  opercular  flap  in  adult  reaching 
V.;  head  with  flap  and  spatula  more  than  half  length.  D.  55, 
A.  57,  V.  45.  L.  6  feet.  Miss,  valley;  common  in  larger  streams. 
(P.  folium  Lac.)  (Lat.  spatula.) 

ORDER  VIII.    GLANIOSTOMI. 

This  order  contains  only  the  family  of  Sturgeons.  (yXavis,  cat- 
fish ;  oro/id,  mouth.) 

FAMILY  XXI.    ACIPENSERIDuE.    (THE  STURGEONS.) 

Body  elongate,  fusiform,  with  five  rows  of  bony  keeled  shields, 
the  skin  between  these  rows  with  small  or  minute  plates;  snout 
produced ;  mouth  inferior,  protractile,  toothless ;  four  barbels  in  a 
cross-row  before  mouth ;  gills  4 ;  an  accessory  opercular  gill ;  no 

3 


34  PISCES  :  —  GLANIOSTOMI.  —  VIII. 

branchiostegals ;  head  covered  by  bony  plates  joined  by  sutures ; 
gill  membranes  joined  to  isthmus ;  vertical  fins  with  fulcra;  dorsal 
and  anal  posterior;  tail  heterocercal ;  air-bladder  large,  simple; 
stomach  not  caical,  with  pyloric  appendages;  rectum  with  spiral 
valve.  Seas  and  rivers  of  northern  regions ;  feeding  on  small 
animals  and  plants  sucked  in  through  the  tube-like  mouth.  Genera 
2,  species  about  20. 

The  sturgeons  change  considerably  with  age.  The  snout  be- 
comes shorter  and  blunter,  the  shields  smoother,  and  some  of  the 
shields  often  fall  off  or  are  absorbed  in  old  age. 

a.  Spiracles  obsolete;  snout  broad,  shovel-shaped,  depressed  above;  rows  of 
bony  shields  coalescent  behind  the  dorsal,  so  that  the  depressed  tail  is 
completely  mailed;  gill  rakers  small,  fan-shaped,  ending  in  3  or  4  points. 

SCAPHIRHYNCHUS,  30. 

aa.  Spiracles  present;  snout  sub-conic;  rows  of  bony  shields  nowhere  con- 
fluent, the  tail  not  depressed  nor  mailed;  gill  rakers  lanceolate. 

ACIPEXSER,  31. 

30.  SCAPHIRHYNCHUS  Heckel.     (Scapliirliyncliops  Gill.) 
(o-Ka<pr],  spade ;  pvyxos,  snout.) 

40.  S.  platyrhynchus   (Rafinesque).     SHOVEL-NOSED  STUR- 
GEON.    WHITE    STURGEON.     Body   elongate,   tapering  into  the 
slender  depressed  tail,  which  extends  in  the  young  beyond  C.  as  a 
slender  filament ;  shields  sharply  keeled ;  dorsal  shields  15  to  18; 
lateral,  41  to  46  ;  ventral,  11  to  13.     L.  5  feet.     Miss.  Valley,  etc., 
common.     (TrXarvs,  flat;  pvy%os,  snout.) 

31.   ACIPENSER  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  sturgeon.) 

a.  Plates  between  vent  and  A.,  large,  in  one  or  two  rows. 

b.  Space  between  dorsal  and  lateral  shields  with  stellate  plates  of  moder- 
ate size  in  5  to  10  series :  last  dorsal  shield  of  moderate  size,  more 
than  half  length  of  one  before  it. 

41.  A.  sturio  L.     COMMON  STURGEON.     First  dorsal  fulcrum 
somewhat  enlarged,  its   surface  rough;    dorsal  shields   9   to    11; 
lateral  shields  26  to  31 ;  ventral,  9  or  10 ;  2  rows  of  2  shields  each, 
with  one  median  shield  between  vent  and  anal.     D.  40,  A.  26. 
L.  8  to  12  feet.     ~N.  Atlantic,  ascending  rivers;  commonest  N.,  S. 
to  S.  C.     (.4.  oxyrhynchus  Mitchill,  the  American  form;    said  to 
have  usually  fewer  lateral  shields.)     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  sturgeon.) 

bb.  Space  between  dorsal  and  lateral  shields  with  minute  plates  in  very 

many  series. 

c.  Last  dorsal  shield  of  moderate  size,  more  than  half  length  of  next 
the  last ;  dorsal  shields  15  or  16. 

42.  A.  rubicundus  Le  Sueur.    LAKE  STURGEON.    ROCK  STUR- 
GEON.    First  dorsal  fulcrum  slightly  enlarged ;  dorsal  shields  15; 
lateral  38,  ventral  10;  3  shields  in  a  single  row  between  anal  fin 


LEPISOSTEID.E.  —  XXII.  35 

and  vent.  D.  42,  A.  27.  Changes  greatly  with  age,  the  young 
with  sharp  snout  and  very  rough  shields,  and  the  spines  strongly 
hooked  ;  the  adult  with  blunt  snout  and  small  smooth  shields,  most 
of  them  finally  lost.  L.  6  feet.  Miss.  Valley,  Great  Lakes,  and 
N".,  abundant,  ascending  rivers  in  spring,  but  not  entering  the  sea. 
(Lat.,  ruddy.) 

cc.  Last  dorsal  shield  very  small,  less  than  half  length  of  next  the  last  ; 

dorsal  shields  10  to  12. 

43.  A.  brevirostrum  Le  Sueur.  Snout  short,  bluntish,  much 
shorter  than  rest  of  head.  Dorsal  shields  11  ;  lateral,  30  ;  ventral,  9  ; 
one  shield  between  anal  and  vent.  D.  43,  A.  24.  N.  Y.  to  Fla., 
scarce.  (Lat.  brevis,  short;  rostrum,  snout.) 

ORDER  IX.    GESTGLYMODI. 

This  order,  defined  on  page  25,  contains  but  one  family  among 
recent  fishes,  although  it  has  many  allies  among  extinct  forms; 
,  hinge  ;  odov'r,  tooth.) 


FAMILY  XXII.  LEPISOSTEIDu3E.  (THE  GAR-FISHES.) 
Body  subcylindical,  covered  with  rhombic  enamelled  "  ganoid  " 
scales,  imbricated  in  oblique  series  which  run  downward  and  back- 
ward. Jaws  both  elongate,  the  upper  always  projecting  ;  pre- 
maxillary  forming  most  of  upper  jaw,  the  maxillary  transversely 
divided  into  several  pieces  ;  lower  jaw  formed  much  as  in  rep- 
tiles; both  jaws  with  an  outer  series  of  small  teeth  followed  by  one 
or  two  series  of  larger  teeth  of  peculiar  structure  ;  close-set,  rasp- 
like  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines  ;  tongue  toothless,  broad, 
emarginate  ;  external  bones  of  head  very  hard,  rugose.  Eyes 
moderate;  nostrils  near  end  of  snout;  pseudobranchise  present, 
besides  an  opercular  gill  ;  B.  3  ;  no  spiracles  ;  air-bladder  cellular, 
joined  by  a  glottis  to  the  oesophagus,  resembling  the  lungs  of  rep- 
tiles, and  used  in  respiration.  Fins  with  fulcra  ;  D.  short,  nearly 
opposite  A.  ;  tail  heterocercal,  produced  as  a  filament  in  young  ; 
vertebrae  with  ball  and  socket  joint,  as  in  reptiles  ;  pyloric  coeca 
many.  One  genus  now  living,  with  3  or  4  species.  Singular  fishes, 
inhabiting  the  lakes  and  larger  rivers  of  Eastern  North  America. 
The  species  are  extremely  variable  in  coloration,  length  of  snout, 
proportions,  etc.,  a  fact  which  has  given  rise  to  a  multitude  of  use- 
less specific  names. 

32.   LEPISOSTEUS  Lacepede. 
(XfTrt'y,   scale;   oareov,   bone;    more  correctly  written   Lepidosteus, 

but  the  above  is  the  original  word.) 
a.  Beak  long  and  slender,  the  snout  more  than  twice  length  of  rest  of  head. 

44.   L.  osseus  (L.).     COMMON  GAR-PIKE.     LOXG-NOSED  GAR. 
BILL-FISH.     Olivaceous;   vertical  fins   and   posterior   parts  with 


36  TELEOSTEI  :   HALECOMORPHI.  —  X. 

round  black  spots,  distinct  in  young  ;  very  young  with  black  lateral 
band.  Length  of  snout  15  to  20  times  its  least  width;  large  teeth 
of  upper  jaw  in  one  row  in  the  adult.  Head  3  in  length.  D.  8, 
A.  9,  V.  6,  P.  10.  Lat.  1.  62.  L.  5  feet.  Great  Lakes  to  Carolina 
and  Mexico  ;  abundant.  (Lat.,  bony.) 

aa.  Beak  shorter  and  broader,  the  snout  not  much  longer  than  rest  of  head. 
b.  Large  teeth  of  upper  jaw  in  one  row  on  each  side  in  adult:  (an  additional 
row  on  the  palatines  sometimes  present  in  young.) 

45.  L.   platystomus    Rafinesque.     SHORT-NOSED    GAR-PIKE. 
Snout  usually  1  to  1^  times  rest  of  head,  its  length  5  to  6  times  its 
least  width.     Head  3^  in  length,  otherwise  almost  exactly  as  in 
L.  osseus,  the  color  rather  darker,  the  size  smaller.     L.  3  feet. 
Miss,  valley,  etc.,  less  common  N.     (n\arvs,  flat  ;  ord/xa,  mouth.) 

bb.  Large  teeth  of  upper  jaw  in  two  series,  the  inner  along  outer  edge  of 
palatines. 

46.  L.  tristcechus   (Bloch  &  Schneider).    ALLIGATOR  GAR. 
MANJUARI.     Snout  usually  shorter  than  rest   of  head,  its  least 
width  3^  in  its  length,  otherwise  essentially  like  the  others  ;  but 
reaching  an  enormous  size.     L.  10  feet.     Ills,  to  Mexico  and  Cuba. 

'fff  three  ;  o-rot^oy,  row.) 


ORDER  X.    HALECOMORPHI.     (THE  BOW-FINS.) 

This  group,  characterized  on  page  26,  contains  a  single  family 
among  recent  fishes.  (Lat.  halec,  herring  ;  fj.op<f>fj,  form.) 

FAMILY  XXIII.    AMIIDJE.    (THE  BOW-FINS.) 

Body  oblong,  robust,  with  thick  cycloid  scales.  Head  sub- 
conical,  bluntish,  covered  above  by  a  very  hard  bony  helmet; 
lateral  margins  of  upper  jaws  formed  by  the  maxillaries,  which  are 
divided  by  a  lengthwise  suture.  Mouth  horizontal,  its  cleft  extend- 
ing beyond  the  small  eye  ;  lower  jaw  broad,  a  broad  bony  striated 
gular  plate  placed  between  its  rami  ;  premaxillaries  not  protractile  ; 
jaws  each  with  an  outer  series  of  conical  teeth,  behind  them  in  the 
lower  a  band  of  rasp-like  teeth  ;  small  teeth  on  vomer,  palatines, 
and  pterygoids  ;  anterior  nostril  with  a  short  barbel  ;  cheek  with 
a  bony  shield.  B.  10  to  12.  No  pseudobranchiae,  nor  opercular 
gill  ;  two  lanceolate  striate  appendages  on  each  side  of  isthmus  ; 
gill  rakers  very  short,  stout.  Lateral  line  present.  Dorsal  fin 
long  and  low,  nearly  uniform  ;  no  fulcra  ;  anal  fin  short  ;  tail  hete- 
rocercal.  Vertebra  double-convex,  as  usual  among  fishes.  Air- 
bladder,  somewhat  as  in  the  Dipnoi  and  Batrachia,  cellular,  bifid  in 
front,  connected  by  a  glottis  with  the  pharynx.  No  closed  ovi- 
duct ;  no  pyloric  cceca.  One  species  known,  in  the  lakes  and  slug- 
gish waters  of  North  America,  —  a  voracious  fish,  remarkably 
tenacious  of  life,  and  with  soft  and  pasty  flesh. 


v 

AMIID^E.  —  XXIII.  37 

33.  AMI  A  Linnaaus.      (Amiatus  Rafinesque.)     (tfyu'a,  ancient 
name  of  some  fish.) 

47.  A.  calva  L.  BOW-FIN.  MUD-FISH.  DOG-FISH.  "JOHN 
A.  GRINDLE."  Blackish  olive,  sides  with  greenish  reticulations, 
lower  side  of  head  with  dark  spots  ;  $  with  a  black  ocellus  edged 
with  orange  at  base  of  C.  above.  Head  3f ;  depth  4.  D.  48. 
A.  11.  Lat.  1.  67.  (£18  inches;  9  24.  Swamps  and  lakes,  Vt. 
to  Dakota,  Fla.,  and  Texas ;  abundant  in  lowlands.  A  fish  of 
great  interest  to  zoologists,  from  its  relation  to  earlier  types. 
(Lat.,  bald.) 

SERIES  TELEOSTEI. 

We  now  take  up  the  series  of  Teleostei  proper,  or  true  Bony- 
fishes,  a  group  comprising  the  great  majority  of  existing  fishes. 
It  is  apparently  descended  from  the  Ganoid  type,  the  Nemato- 
gnathi  being  apparently  allies  or  descendants  of  the  Glaniostomi, 
and  the  Isospondyli  of  the  Halecomorplii.  As  a  whole,  the  Tele- 
ostei differ  from  the  Ganoids  in  the  more  perfectly  ossified  skeleton, 
the  less  heterocercal  tail,  the  degradation  of  the  air-bladder  and 
the  arterial  bulb,  and  in  the  simplicity  of  the  optic  chiasma. 

The  Teleostei  are  divisible  into  two  great  groups,  with  rather 
ill-defined  boundaries,  —  the  Physostomi,  or  soft-rayed  fishes,  and 
the  Physodysti,  or  spiny-rayed.  The  members  of  the  former 
group  have  throughout  life  a  slender  duct,  by  which  the  air-bladder 
is  joined  to  the  alimentary  canal.  In  most  cases  the  fin-rays  are 
soft,  the  ventrals  abdominal,  the  pectorals  placed  low,  and  the 
scales  cycloid.  Although  the  typical  Physostomi  differ  in  many 
ways  from  the  more  specialized  Physodysti,  yet  as  we  approach 
the  junction  of  the  two  groups  the  subordinate  differences  disap- 
pear, leaving  finally  the  presence  of  the  air^duct  in  Physostomi  as 
the  only  differential  character.  In  view  of  this  close  relation  of 
the  two  groups,  several  writers,  following  Professor  Gill,  have  re- 
moved as  separate  orders  various  aberrant  forms,  leaving  the  bulk 
of  both  groups  in  one  large  order,  Teleocephali,  with  numerous 
suborders.  We  prefer  to  regard  most  of  these  suborders  as  dis- 
tinct orders  rather  than  to  treat  the  heterogeneous  group  of 
Teleocephali  as  an  "  order."  (re'Xeo?,  perfect ;  oareov,  bone.) 

ORDER  XI.    NEMATOGNATHI. 

This  order  contains  several  families,  which  agree  in  having  the 
subopercle  wanting,  the  anterior  vertebrae  coalesced,  and  the  max- 
illary reduced  to  the  bony  core  of  a  long  barbel.  None  of  the 
order  have  scales.  (vfj/Mi,  thread;  yvddos,  jaw.) 


38  TELEOSTEI:   NEMATOGNATHI. —  XI. 


FAMILY  XXIV.    SILURID^J.     (THE  CAT-FISHES.) 

Body  more  or  less  elongate,  naked  or  with  bony  plates  ;  margin 
of  upper  jaw  formed  by  premaxillaries  only,  the  rudimentary 
maxillaries  forming  the  base  of  a  long  barbel ;  teeth  in  villiform 
bands.  Dorsal  fin  usually  present,  short,  above  or  before  ventrals ; 
usually  an  adipose  fin  behind  dorsal.  First  ray  of  dorsal  and  pec- 
torals usually  developed  as  a  stout  spine.  Lower  pharyngeals 
separate.  Air-bladder  present,  large.  A  vast  family  of  more 
than  100  genera  and  900  species,  mostly  of  the  rivers  and  swamps 
of  warm  regions,  especially  of  South  America  and  Africa.  A  few 
species  are  marine.  Many  of  them  are  excellent  as  food,  and  all 
are  very  tenacious  of  life. 

a.  Dorsal  short,  placed  before  ventrals;  adipose  fin  present;  gill  membranes 

more  or  less  free  from  isthmus ;  body  naked. 

b.  Anterior  and  posterior  nostrils  close  together,  neither  with  a  barbel,  the 
posterior  with  a  valve;  palatines  with  teeth;  caudal  forked.  Marine 
species.  (Tachysurince.) 

c.  Lower  jaw  with  2  barbels;  maxillary  barbel  band-like;  dorsal  and 

pectoral  spines  ending  in  striated  filaments.    .    AILUKICHTHYS,  34. 
cc.  Lower  jaw  with  4  barbels ;  spines  not  filamentous.    TACHYSURUS,  35. 
bb.  Anterior  and  posterior  nostrils  well  separated,  the  posterior  with  a 
barbel;  barbels  8;  teeth  in  jaws  only.    (Ictalurince.) 

d.  Adipose  fin  with  its  posterior  margin  free. 

e.  Premaxillary  band  of  teeth,  without  backward  processes. 
f.  Supraoccipital  bone  prolonged  backward  so  that  its  emarginate 
apex  fits  closely  around  the  anterior  point  of  the  second  inter- 
spinal,  thus  forming  a  continuous  bony  bridge  extending  from 
the  head  to  the  dorsal  spine.    (Silvery  species  ;   C.  deeply 

forked.) ICTALUKUS,  36. 

ff.  Supraoccipital  bone  not  reaching  the  second  interspinal,  the  bony 
bridge  more  or  less  interrupted. 

g.  Eyes  normal AMEIURUS,  37. 

gff.  Eyes  concealed  by  the  skin GEONIAS,  38. 

ee.  Premaxillary  band  of  teeth,  with  a  lateral  backward  process  on 

each  side ;  lower  jaw  prominent LEPTOPS,  39. 

dd.  Adipose  fin  keel-like,  adnate  to  the  back,  more  or  less  joined  to 
caudal  fin;  a  (venom)  pore  in  axil  of  pectoral.  .       NOTURUS,  40. 

34.  AILURICHTHYS  Baird  &  Girard.     (mXovpos,  cat; 
IxGvs,  fish.) 

48.  A.  marinus  (Mitchill).  GAFF-TOPSAIL.  SEA  CAT.  Dusky 
bluish.  Head  short  and  broad.  Maxillary  barbels  reaching  end 
of  P.  spine  ;  P.  filament  reaching  vent,  D.  filament  to  adipose  fin  ; 
upper  lobe  of  C.  longer ;  palatine  teeth  in  a  nearly  continuous 
band.  Head  4J.  D.  I.  7.  ,A.  23.  L.  30  in.  K  Y.  to  Texas, 
common  S.,  not  entering  streams. 


SILURID.E.  —  XXIV.  39 

35.    TACHYSURTTS  Lacepede.     (Galeichthys  and  Arius  Cuv. 
&  Val.)     (raxvs,  swift;  ovpa,  tail.) 

o.  Teeth  all  pointed;  top  of  head  with  a  bony  occipital  shield  which  is  not 
covered  by  skin;  bands  of  palatine  teeth  without  backward  prolongation 
on  the  median  line;  vomerine  bands  of  teeth  not  confluent;  ante-dorsal 
shield  small,  crescent-shaped;  eyes  well  above  angle  of  mouth;  species 
with  blue  lustre  in  life.  (Ariopsis  Gill.) 

49.  T.  felis  (L.).  SEA  CAT-FISH.  Interorbital  area  flattish 
and  smooth,  without  ridges  or  granulations;  fins  not  low,  the 
spines  more  than  half  length  of  head  ;  vomerine  teeth  in  a  small 
patch  ;  palatine  teeth  in  a  larger  one,  on  each  side,  the  four 
patches  separate  ;  fontanelle  prolonged  backward  as  a  narrow 
groove  ;  occipital  process  long,  about  ^  head,  convex  at  tip,  with 
a  median  keel  ;  gill  membranes  not  meeting  at  an  angle  ;  maxillary 
barbel  nearly  as  long  as  head.  L.  24.  N.  Y.  to  Mexico  ;  common 
S.  (Lat.,  cat.) 


36.  ICTALURUS  Rafinesque.     (faMs,  fish  ;  mXovpos,  cat.) 
a.  Anal  fin  very  long  ;  its  rays  32  to  35  ;  its  base  nearly  J  of  body. 

50.  I.  furcatus  (Cuv.  &Val.).   CHUCKLE-HEADED  CAT.   Silvery, 
nearly  plain  ;  eye  small,  wholly  before  middle  of  head  ;  head  4J  ; 
depth  5.     Miss,  valley,  not  uncommon.     (Lat.,  forked.) 

aa.  Anal  fin  moderate;  its  rays  24  to  30;  its  base  3£  to  4  in  body. 

51.  I.  punctatus  (Rafinesque).     CHANNEL  CAT.     WHITE  CAT. 
SILVER  CAT.     Olivaceous,  rarely  blackish,  the  sides  silvery,  al- 
most always  with  small  round  dark  olive  spots  ;    eye  large,  not 
wholly  in  front  of  middle  of  head;   mouth  small;   barbels  long; 
spines  strong,  serrate  ;  head  4  ;  depth  5.     L.  3  feet.     Montana  to 
Vt.,  Ga.,  and  Mexico,  very  abundant  in  flowing  streams.     A  hand- 
some fish,  the  best  in  the  family  as  food.     (Lat.,  spotted.) 

37.  AMEIURUS  Rafinesque.      (a  privative;  peiovpos,  curtailed, 
the  tail  not  notched.) 

a.  Caudal  fin  forked  (species  approaching  Ictalurus). 

b.  Anal  rays  25  to  35;    humeral   process  very  short  and  blunt;   usually 
covered  by  skin,  about  J  length  of  pectoral  spine. 

52.  A.  nigricans  (Le  Sueur).     GREAT  CAT-FISH.    MISSISSIPPI 
CAT.      FLANNEL-MOUTHED  CAT.      Slaty  bluish,  growing  darker 
with  age  ;  body  stouter  than  in  the  Channel  Cat,  the  head  broader, 
lower,  and  more  depressed,  the  mouth  wider,  the  caudal  less  forked, 
the  skin  thicker,  hiding  the  bones  of  the  head  ;  head  depressed 
above  ;   supraoccipital  above  almost  reaching  second  interspinal, 
the  bony  bridge  broken  for  a  short  distance  only  ;  anal  about  as 
long  as  head  ;  head  4  in  length  ;  depth  5  ;  D.  I.  5  or  6  ;  A.  25  to 


40  TELEOSTEI:  NEMATOGNATHI. — XI. 

32.  Ontario  to  Florida  and  Texas,  abundant  in  lakes  and  large 
rivers,  reaching  100  pounds  or  more. 

*.  (A.  ponder osus  Bean,  from  St.  Louis,  described  from  a  specimen 
5  feet  long,  weighing  150  pounds,  is  probably  a  giant  example  of 
this  species,  differing  only  in  having  35  anal  rays.  I  find  25,  27, 
28,  and  32  in  four  specimens  of  A.  nigricans.)  (Lat.,  blackish.) 

bb.  Anal  rays  20  to  23;  humeral  process  very  rough,  more  than  half  length 
of  pectoral  spine. 

53.  A.  albidus  (Le  Sueur).    WHITE  CAT.    CHANNEL  CAT  OF 
THE  POTOMAC.      Olive-bluish,  silvery  below ;  body  stout ;   head 
broad,  becoming  with  age  very  broad,  the  mouth  in  old  specimens 
wider  than  in  any  other  species ;  C.  shallow-forked.    L.  24.    Penn. 
to  N.  C.,  very  abundant  in  Potomac  R.     Varies  much  with  age. 
(Lat.,  whitish.) 

aa.  Caudal  fin  entire  or  very  slightly  emarginate.    (AMEIURUS.) 

d.  Anal  fin  long,  of  24  to  27  rays  (counting  rudiments),  its  base  more  than 
4  length  of  body. 

54.  A.  natalis  (Le  Sueur).    YELLOW  CAT.    Yellowish,  green- 
ish, or  blackish ;  body  stout,  the  head  short  and  broad,  with  wide 
mouth.      Great  Lakes  to  Va.  and  Texas,   common   in   sluggish 
streams.    L.  15.     Excessively  variable.    (Lat.,  having  large  nates, 
i.  e.  adipose  fin.) 

dd.  Anal  fin  moderate,  of  18  to  22  rays,  its  base  4  to  5  in  body. 
e.  Lower  jaw  projecting. 

55.  A.  vulgaris  (Thompson).     Blackish;  head  3£  to  4 ;  A.  20; 
P.  spine  2J  in  head.     Great  Lakes  to  Manitoba,  essentially  as  in 
A.  nebulosus,  except  for  the  form  of  the  mouth;   very  likely  a 
variety.     (Lat.,  common.) 

ee.  Lower  jaw  not  projecting. 
f.  Pectoral  spines  long,  2  to  2J  in  head;  anal  rays  more  than  20. 

56.  A.  nebulosus l  (Le  Sueur).    COMMON  BULLHEAD.    HORNED 
POUT.     Dark  yellowish  brown,  varying  from  yellowish  to  black 
sometimes   (var.   marmoratus    Holbrook),    sharply    mottled    with 
dark  green  and  whitish;  A.  rays  usually  21  or  22;  its  base  4  in 
body ;  pectoral  spines  long.     L.  18.     New  England  to  Wis.,  Va., 

1  The  Horned  Pout  are  "  dull  and  blundering  fellows,"  fond  of  the  mud,  and  grow- 
ing best  in  weedy  ponds  and  rivers  without  current.  They  stay  near  the  bottom, 
moving  slowly  about  with  their  barbels  widely  spread,  watching  for  anything  eat- 
able. They  will  take  any  kind  of  bait,  from  an  angle-worm  to  a  piece  of  a  tin  tomato- 
can,  without  coquetry,  and  they  seldom  fail  to  swallow  the  hook.  They  are  very 
tenacious  of  life,  "  opening  and  shutting  their  mouths  for  half  an  hour  after  their 
heads  have  been  cut  off. "  They  spawn  in  spring,  and  the  old  fishes  lead  the  young  in 
great  schools  near  the  shore,  seemingly  caring  for  them  as  the  hen  for  her  chickens. 
"A  bloodthirsty  and  bullying  set  of  rangers,  with  ever  a  lance  in  rest,  and  ready  to 
do  battle  with  their  nearest  neighbor."  (Tfioreau.) 


SILURID.E. —  XXIV.  41 

t 

and  Texas,  common,  the  best  known  of  the  smaller  Cat-fishes.     In- 
troduced into  the  rivers  of  Cal.     (Lat.,  clouded.) 

ff.  Pectoral  spines  short,  2J  to  3  in  head  (longest  in  the  young) ;  A.  17 
to  19. 

57.  A.  melas  (Rafinesque).     Adult  very  plump;  young  more 
slender.     Color  usually   blackish.     A.   short  and  deep,  its  rays 
usually  1 7  to  1 9,  its  base  nearly  5  in  length,  its  pale  rays  forming  a 
sharp  contrast  with  the  dusky  membranes.     N.  Y.  to  Kansas,  gen- 
erally common  ;  very  close  to  A.  nebulosus.     (pc\as,  black.) 

38.  GRONIAS  Cope.     (yp&vrj,  cavern.) 

58.  G.  nigrilabris  Cope.     Upper  parts,  jaws,  and  fins  black ; 
eyes  nearly  hidden  by  thick  skin  ;  barbels  and  spines  rather  short. 
A.  18.      Cave  stream,  tributary  to  Conestoga  R.,  E.  Penn.     A 
recent  descendant  of  A.  melas  or  nebulosus,  rendered  blind  by 
subterranean  life.     (Lat.  niger,  black;  labrum,  lip.) 

39.  LEPTOPS  Rafinesque.     (Xenroj,  thin  ;  oty,  face.) 

59.  L.  olivaris  (Rafinesque).     MUD  CAT.    FLAT-HEAD  CAT. 
RUSSIAN  CAT.     BASHAW.     GOUJON.    Yellowish,  much  mottled 
with  brown.     Body  slender,  the  head  broad  and  much  depressed, 
the  lower  jaw  projecting  ;  barbels  short ;  dorsal  spine  very  weak  ; 
pectoral   spines   strong;   anal  short.     A.   12  to  15.     C.  scarcely 
emarginate.     A  very  large  species,  reaching  75  pounds,  abundant 
in  sluggish  streams,  Ohio  to  Ga.  and  S.  W.     A  good  food  fish,  of 
unprepossessing  appearance. 

40.  NOTURUS  Rafinesque.     STONE  CATS.1     (I/OJTOS,  back  ; 
ovpd,  tail.) 

a.  Premaxillary  band  of  teeth  with  lateral  backward  processes,  as  in  Leptops. 

(Noturus.) 

60.  N.  flavus  (Rafinesque).    Yellowish  brown,  nearly  uniform  ; 
body  elongate  ;  head  broad  and  flat ;  barbels  short ;   adipose  fin 
deeply  notched ;  a  keel  on  back  before  it ;   D.  spines  short ;   P. 
spine  retrorse-serrate  in  front,  roughish  behind;   A.  16.     L.  12. 
Ontario  to  Va.,  Neb.,  and  Tenn.,  not  rare  in  large  streams.     (Lat., 
yellow.) 

aa.  Premaxillary  band  of  teeth  without  backward  processes.     (Schilbeodes 

Bleeker.) 

b.  Pectoral  spine  serrate  on  its  posterior  edge,  roughish  in  front ;  adipose  fin 
notched. 

1  These  little  fishes  abound  in  small  brooks  among  logs  and  weeds.  The  wounds 
produced  by  the  sting  of  their  sharp  pectoral  spines  are  excessively  painful.  In  the 
axil  is  usually  a  pore,  probably  the  opening  of  a  duct  from  a  poison  gland.  This 
matter  deserves  investigation. 


42  TELEOSTEI  :  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

c.  Pectoral  spines  moderate,  the  inner  serrae  weak,  not  half  diameter  of 
spine,  the  outer  stronger,  retrorse,  body  elongate;  coloration  nearly 
uniform,  the  fins  darker  edged. 
d.  Pectoral  spine  short  and  weak,  about  3  in  head  in  adult. 

61.  N.  exilis  Nelson.     Head  small,  rather  narrow,  depressed,  4 
in  length  ;  depth  6  ;  pectoral  spine  retrorse-serrate  without,  with  6 
small  teeth  within  ;  humeral  process  obscure  ;  jaws  subequal.     A. 
14  to  17.     L.  4.     Wis.  to  Kansas.     (N.  elassochir  Swain  &  Kalb.) 
(Lat.,  slim.) 

dd.  Pectoral  spine  longer,  about  2  (1|.  to  2^)  in  head. 

62.  N.  insignis   (Richardson).      Head  rather  broad,  flat  and 
thin,  the  upper  jaw  projecting;  head  4^;  depth  6.     A.  14  to  16. 
L.  10.     Pa.  to  S.  C.,  common  E.     (Lat.,  remarkable). 

cc.  Pectoral  spine  very  strong,  curved,  more  than  half  head,  its  posterior 
serrae  recurved,  their  length  about  equal  to  diameter  of  spine,  the 
anterior  serrae  small. 

e.  Color  much  variegated;  adipose  fin  deeply  notched,  but  not  separated 
from  C. 

63.  N.  miurus  Jordan.     Grayish  ;   top  of  head,  tip  of  dorsal, 
middle  of  adipose  fin,  and  caudal  black,  the  body  with  four  black 
cross-blotches  ;  head  not  specially  depressed    eye  4^  in  head  ;  hu- 
meral process  moderate  ;  pectoral  spine  1^  to  If  in  head  ;  head  3f  . 
A.  13  to  15.     L.  5.     E.  N.  C.  to  Minn,  and  La.,  abundant.     (/*«'- 
ovpos,  curtailed.) 

ee.  Color   nearly  plain  brownish,  everywhere  above  covered  with  fine 
small  dots  ;  adipose  fin  almost  or  quite  free  from  caudal. 

64.  N.  eleutherus  Jordan.     Head  broad,  flat,  depressed,  the 
form  very  much  as  in  Leptops  olivaris  ;  humeral  process  obscure  ; 
eye  5^  in  head  ;  pectoral  spine  If  to  2  in  head  ;  head  3|;  A.  13. 
L.  4.     White  R.,  Ind.,  and  French  Broad  R.;  3  specimens  known. 

,  free.) 


bb.  Pectoral  spine  entire,  grooved  behind;  adipose  fin  continuous  with 
the  caudal. 

65.  N.  gyrinus  (Mitchill).  Head  short,  broad  and  deep  ;  pecto- 
ral spine  2  in  head  ;  jaws  subequal,  yellowish  brown,  not  blotched, 
but  with  a  narrow  black  lateral  streak,  sometimes  with  two  above 
it.  A.  15  or  16.  L.  5.  Hudson  R.  to  Minn,  and  La.,  common  N. 
(yvpivos,  tadpole.) 

ORDER  XII.    EVENTOGNATHI.     (THE  PLECTOSPONDY- 
LOUS  FISHES.) 

This  group,  defined  on  page  26,  contains  the  great  majority  of 
the  fresh-water  fishes  of  the  world.  Its  essential  character  is  in 
the  modification  of  the  anterior  vertebrae,  as  in  the  N  ematognathi, 


CATOSTOMID.E.  —  XXV.  43 

without  the  characters  of  the  rudimentary  subopercle  and  maxil- 
lary, and  the  absence  of  scales,  which  distinguish  the  Cat-fishes. 
The  chief  families  are  the  Cyprinidce  and  the  Characinidce ;  the 
latter,  abundant  in  South  America,  have  an  adipose  fin  and  usually 
teeth  in  the  jaws.  (eu,  well;  evros,  within;  yvdQos,  jaw.) 

FAMILY  XXV.      CATOSTOMID^E.     (THE  SUCKERS.) 

Body  oblong,  covered  with  cycloid  scales ;  head  naked  ;  jaws 
toothless  and  without  barbels,  the  maxillary  forming  a  large  part 
of  the  edge  of  the  upper  jaw ;  mouth  usually  protractile,  the  lips 
generally  thick  and  fleshy  ;  lower  pharyngeal  bones  falciform,  with 
many  comb-like  teeth  in  one  row ;  branchiostegals  3 ;  gill  mem- 
branes united  to  isthmus ;  dorsal  fin  rather  long,  of  11  to  50  rays,1 
without  spine ;  anal  short ;  caudal  forked ;  ventrals  abdominal,  of 
about  10  rays;  pectorals  low;  no  adipose  fin.  Alimentary  canal 
long,  without  coeca.  Air-bladder  large,  divided  into  two  or  three 
parts  by  transverse  constrictions.  Genera  11,  species  about  60, 
inhabiting  the  rivers  of  North  America  ;*  two  species  in  Asia. 
The  Suckers  feed  on  plants  and  small  amimals ;  the  flesh  is  rather 
tasteless  and  full  of  small  bones.  They  ascend  the  rivers  to  spawn 
in  spring,  at  which  time  the  males  have  usually  the  A.  and  C.,  and 
often  other  parts  of  the  body,  covered  with  tubercles. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  elongate,  its  rays  25  to  50  in  number;  air-bladder  in  two  parts. 
b.  Fontanelle  present;  body  oblong-ovate.    (Jctiobinte.) 

c.  Dorsal  rays  25  to  35;  scales  large  (34  to  41)   .     .     .     .     ICTIOBUS,  41. 
bb.  Fontanelle  obliterated  by  the  union  of  the  parietal  bones ;  body  elon- 
gate.   (  Cycleptince.) 

d.  Mouth  small,  inferior,  with  thick  papillose  lips;  scales  small  (56). 

CYCLEPTUS,  42. 
aa.  Dorsal  fin  short,  its  rays  16  to  18.     (Catostomince.) 

e.  Air-bladder  in  two  parts ;   lower  pharyngeals  slender,  with  small  teeth. 
f.  Lips  thick,  papillose;  lateral  line  complete  and  continuous;  scales 

small  (55  to  115) ;  fontanelle  present;  mouth  small,  inferior. 

CATOSTOMUS,  43. 
ff.  Lips  thin,  plicate;  scales  large  (40  to  50). 

g.  Lateral  line  wholly  wanting,  at  all  ages.     .    .     .    ERIMYZON,  44. 
gg.  Lateral  line  imperfect  in  young,  nearly  complete  in  the  adult. 

MlNYTREMA,  45. 

ee.  Air-bladder  in  three  parts;  fontanelle  present;  scales  large  (about 

45) ;  lateral  line  complete. 
h.  Mouth  normal,   the  upper  jaw  protractile;   the  lips  more  or  less 

plicate. 

i.  Lower  pharyngeal  bones  moderate,  the  teeth  compressed,  gradu- 
ally increasing  in  size  downward MOXOSTOMA,  46. 

ii.  Lower  pharyngeal  bones  very  strong,  with  the  lower  teeth  much 
enlarged,  subcylindrical  and  truncate;  the  upper  teeth  small 
and  compressed PLACOPHARYNX,  47. 

1  In  this  family,  the  rudimentary  rays  before  dorsal  and  anal  are  not  counted. 


44  TELEOSTEI;  EVENTOGNATHL  —  XII. 

hh.  Mouth  singular,  the  upper  lip  not  protractile,  greatly  enlarged; 
the  lower  split  into  two  separate  lobes;  pharyngeal  bones,  etc. 
as  in  Moxostoma LAGOCHILA,  48. 

41.  ICTIOBUS  Rafmesque.    BUFFALO-FISHES. 

(This  genus  contains  an  uncertain  number  of  species,  very  few 
of  which  have  been  yet  well  defined.  They  are  large,  coarse 
suckers,  especially  characteristic  of  the  streams  of  the  Mississippi 
valley.  The  group  much  needs  careful  study,  such  as  could  only 
be  given  by  a  collector  resident  near  some  large  market),  (IxjBvs, 
fish ;  ftovs,  buffalo.) 

a.  Mouth  large,  terminal,  protractile  forwards;  lips  thin;  lower  pharyngeals 
and  teeth  weak.    (Scleroynathus  Cuv.  &  Val.) 

66.  I.   cyprinella   (Cuv.   &  Val.).     COMMON  BUFFALO-FISH. 
RED-MOUTHED   BUFFALO.     Body   robust,  the  outline   somewhat 
elliptical ;   head  very  large  and   thick ;  opercle   coarsely  striate, 
nearly  half  length  of  head ;  lips  scarcely  plicate ;  color  dull  brown- 
ish olive,  not  silvery;  fins  dusky.    Head  3£;  depth  3.    D.  28,  A.  9; 
scales  7-37  to  41-6.    L.  3  feet.    Miss,  valley,  etc., common;  reaches 
20  to  40  pounds  weight.     (Lat.,  a  small  carp.) 

aa.  Mouth  smaller,  more  or  less  inferior,  protractile  downwards,  and  with 

thicker  lips. 

b.  Lower  pharyngeal  bones  strong,  the  teeth  comparatively  coarse  and 
large,  increasing  in  size  downwards  ;  dusky  species,  not  silvery. 
(Ictiobus.) 

67.  I.  urus  (Agassiz).     RAZOR-BACKED  BUFFALO.    MONGREL 
BUFFALO.     Body  not  much  elevated,  the  back  not  keeled,  the 
axis  of  the  body  not  much  farther  from  back  than  from  line  of 
belly ;  head  thicker  and  blunter  than  in  1.  bubalus ;  eye  smaller 
than  in  /.  bubalus;  mouth  much  larger  and  more  oblique,  approach- 
ing that  of  /.  cyprinella,  but  with  lips  thicker  and  plicate,  the  folds 
broken  up  into  papillae  ;  longest  dorsal  rays  scarcely  half  of  base  of 
fin,  opercle  coarsely  striate.     Color  very  dark;  fins  dark.     Head 
3£  to  4;  depth  3.    D.  30;  scales  8-41-7.     L.  2£  feet.     Miss,  valley, 
less  common  than  the  others ;  certainly  different  from  I.  bubalus, 
but  not  always  distinguishable  by  me  from  /.  cyprinella,  and  possi- 
bly not  really  different.     (Lat.,  a  wild  bull.) 

68.  I.  bubalus    (Rafinesque).     SUCKER-MOUTHED    BUFFALO. 
SMALL-MOUTHED   BUFFALO.      Body    considerably   elevated,  the 
back   compressed;  axis  of  body  much  nearer  line  of  belly  than 
back ;  head  not  very  blunt,  the  mouth  small  and  inferior  ;  eye  4  to 
5  in  head,  rather  large  ;  longest  dorsal  rays  much  more  than  half 
base  of  fin  in   adult;  coloration   dusky,  the   fins   scarcely  black. 
Head  4 ;  depth  2| ;  D.  29 ;  scales  8-39-6.    L.  2£  feet.    Miss,  valley, 
etc.,  common.     (Bubaliclithys  bubalus  Agassiz.)     (Lat.,  buffalo.) 


CATOSTOMID.E.  —  XXV.  45 

bb.  Lower  pharyngeal  bones  narrow,  with  the  teeth  thin  and  weak;  species 
of  pale  coloration,  more  or  less  silvery.  (Carp  Suckers.}  (Carpiodes 
Rannesque.) 

c.  Body  subfusiform,  the  depth  about  3  in  length,  lips  thin,  silvery  white  in 
life,  the  halves  of  the  lower  lip  meeting  at  a  wide  angle. 

69.  I.   carpio  (Rafinesque).     Back  compressed,  little  arched  ; 
snout  not  blunt,  projecting  little  beyond  the  mouth,  its  length  a 
little  more  than  that  of  eye ;  nostrils  not  close  to  tip  of  snout ; 
opercle  strongly  striate  ;  longest  dorsal  rays  f  to  -|  length  of  base 
of  fin,  the  anterior  rays  sometimes  thickened,  never  filamentous  ; 
eye  small,  4£  to  5  in  head.     Head  short,  4  in  length  ;  depth  3.     D. 
25  to  27  ;  scales  7-37-5.     Color  dull  silvery,  sometimes  brassy,  some 
of  the  scales  above  often  brownish  at  base.     Ohio  valley  to  Texas  ; 
probably  a  valid  species,  but  of  doubtful  name  and   synonymy. 
(Lat.,  carp.) 

cc.  Body  ovate-oblong,  the  back  elevated,  the  depth  about  2J  in  the  length. 
d.  Opercle  strongly  striate. 

e.  Lips  thin,  silver-white  in  life,  the  halves  of  lower  lip  meeting  at  a 
wide  angle,  as  in  /.  carpio. 

70.  I.   difformis    (Cope).     Similar  to  /.  velifer,  but  with  very 
blunt  snout,  the  maxillary  reaching  front  of  pupil  ;  nostril  very 
near  tip  of  snout  and  above  or  before  upper  lip  ;  eyes  large  (3^  to 
4  in  head)  ;  dorsal  very  high.     Head  4  ;  depth  2f .     Ohio  valley. 

71.  I.  thompsoni    (Agassiz).     Resembles   /.  velifer,  but  with 
the  head  small  and  pointed,  the  snout  considerably  projecting  ; 
eye  small,  5  to  5^  in  head.     Back  arched.     Head  4^  ;  depth  2^-. 
Great  Lakes,  abundant  (specimens  examined  from  Toledo).     (For 
Rev.  Zadock  Thompson.) 

ee.  Lips  full,  thick,  flesh-colored  in  life,  the  halves  of  lower  lip  meeting 
at  an  acute  angle. 

72.  I.  velifer  (Rafinesque).    QUILL-BACK.    SKIM-BACK.    CARP 
SUCKER.     RIVER   CARP.     Snout   sub-conic,  projecting;   anterior 
nostril  distant  from  snout  more  than  half  an  eye's  diameter  and 
considerably  behind  front  of  upper  lip  ;  maxillary  reaching  about 
to  front  of  orbit;  eye  moderate  or  small,  4  to  5  in  head;  ante- 
rior rays  of  dorsal  always  elevated  and  filamentous,  infrequently 
as  long  as  base  of  fin.     Head  3f  to  4£;  depth  2£  to  3.     D.  26; 
scales  7-37-5.     Coloration  usually  pale.     Miss,  valley,  etc.,  very 
abundant;  variable.     (Lat.,  bearing  sails.) 

dd.  Opercle  nearly  smooth. 

73.  I.  cyprinus  (Le   Sueur).     CARP   SUCKER.     Body  rather 
deep,  the  eye  quite  small,  the  dorsal  fin  high,  otherwise  essentially 
as  in  7.  velifer.    Pa.  to  Va.,  chiefly  about  Chesapeake  Bay.     (Lat., 
carp.) 


46  TELEOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI. — XII. 

42.    CYCLEPTUS   Rafinesque.     (KVK\OS,  round ;  AeTrro'y,  slender  ; 
according  to  Rafinesque,  small  round  mouth.) 

74.  C.  elongatus  (Le  Sueur).     BLACK  HORSE.     GOURD-SEED 
SUCKER.     MISSOURI  SUCKER.     Head   small,  short  and   slender, 
rounded   above  ;    opercles   small ;    eye   small ;    fins   large.     Color 
blackish;    $   in  spring  covered  with  small   tubercles.     Head    7  ; 
depth  4£;  D.  30;  scales  9-56-7.     L.  2^  feet.     Miss,  valley,  rather 
common  in  larger  streams. 

43.  CATOSTOMUS  Lc  Sueur.     FINE-SCALED  SUCKERS. 
(<dro),  inferior  ;  oro/ia,  mouth.) 

a.  Scales  very  small,  much  reduced  and  crowded  anteriorly,  about  100  in  the 
lateral  line.    (Catostomus.) 

75.  C.  catostomus  (Forster).    NORTHERN  SUCKER.    Upper  lip 
thin,  with  2  to  4  rows  of  papillae ;  snout  long,  overhanging  the  large 
mouth.     Males  in  spring  profusely  tuberculate  and  with  a  broad 
rosy  lateral  band.     Great  Lakes  to  Alaska,  very  abundant  N. 

aa.  Scales  larger,  but  small  and  crowded  forwards,  about  65  in  the  lateral 
line.     (Decactylus  Rafinesque.) 

76.  C.  teres  (Mitchill).     COMMON  SUCKER.     WHITE  SUCKER. 
Upper  lip  thin,  with  2  or  3  rows  of  papillae  ;  snout  shorter  than  in 
the  preceding,  the  mouth  smaller.     Color  olivaceous,  dusky  above  ; 
sides  rosy  in  spring.     Head  4^  ;  depth  4J.     D.  12.     Scales  10-64 
to  70-9.     L.  18.     Canada  to  Montana  and  Fla. ;  commonest  of  the 
Suckers,  and  extremely  variable.     (Lat.,  terete.) 

aaa.  Scales  large,  scarcely  crowded  anteriorly,  48  to  55  in  the  lateral  line. 
(Hypentelium  Rafinesque.) 

77.  C.  nigricans  Le  Sueur.     HOG  SUCKER.     STONE  ROLLER. 
STONE  LUGGER.     STONE    TOTER.     HAMMER-HEAD.     CRAWL-A- 
BOTTOM.     HOG  MOLLY.     HOG  MULLET.     Head  flattened  above, 
concave  between  eyes;  the  frontal  bone  thick,  broad  and  short; 
eyes  small,  placed  high  ;  upper  lip  thick,  with  8  to  10  rows  of 
papilla? ;  lower  fins  large.     Color  brassy  olive,  the  back  with  dark 
cross-blotches,  disappearing  with  age ;  lower  fins  red.     Head  4 ; 
depth  4f.     D.  11.     Lat.  1.  48  to  55.     L.  2  feet.     Lakes  and  clear 
streams,  W.  N.  Y.  to  Ala.  and  Kans.     (Lat,  blackish.) 

44.  ERIMYZON  Jordan,     (ept,  an  intensive  particle ; 
fjivfa,  to  suck.) 

78.  E.  sucetta  (Lacepede).    CHUB  SUCKER.     SWEET  SUCKER. 
CREEK-FISH.    Scales  crowded,  deeper  than  long ;  mandible  oblique. 
Color  dusky,  brassy  below  ;  young  with  black  bands  or  bars  and 
pale  streaks.     Head  4 ;  depth  2^  in  adult ;  spring  males  with  6 
tubercles  on  snout.     D.  11  to  13.     Scales  43-15  in  the  northern 
form,  var.  oblongus  Mitchill  (the  true  sucetta,  southern,  with  scales 


CATOSTOMID^E.  —  XXV.  47 

f* 
36-15).     Mass,  to  Dakota  and  S.,  very  common.     (  Tfor^sticktta,  Va. 

to  Fla.  and  Texas.)     (Fr.  sucet,  sucker.) 

45.  MINYTREMA  Jordan,     (/uwy,  lessened  ;    rprjua,  aperture  ; 

from  the  imperfect  lateral  line.) 

79.  M.  melanops  Rafinesque.  STRIPED  SUCKER.  Body 
subterete,  little  compressed  ;  mouth  small,  inferior  ;  eye  small  ; 
scales  little  crowded  forwards.  Color  dusky,  coppery  below,  a 
dusky  blotch  behind  dorsal;  each  scale  with  a  dark  spot  at  its 
base,  most  distinct  in  adult,  these  forming  longitudinal  stripes; 
g  tuberculate  in  spring  ;  lateral  line  wanting  in  young,  imperfect 
at  8  inches,  nearly  complete  in  adults.  Head  4i-  ;  depth  3  to  4^. 
D.  1  2  to  14.  Scales  46-13.  L.  15.  Great  Lakes  to  S.  C.  and  Texas. 
,  black  ;  oov//-,  look.) 


46.   MOXOSTOMA  Rafinesque.     RED  HORSE,    (fiv£o>,  to  suck  ; 

oro/za,  mouth.) 
a.  Lips  distinctl}7-  plicate. 
b.  Dorsal  large,  with  15  to  18  developed  rays,  its  free  edge  not  concave. 

80.  M.  anisurum  (Rafinesque).    WHITE  NOSE  SUCKER.    Body 
robust,  compressed  ;  mouth  large,  inferior,  the  upper  lip  thin,  the 
lower  strongly  A  -shaped  ;  D.  high  and  large,  the  first  ray  about  as 
long  as  fin  ;   upper  lobe  of  C.  narrow,  longer  than  lower.     Color 
pale  ;  C.  smoky  gray  ;  lower  fins  red.     Head  4  ;  depth  3|.     D.  15 
to  18.     L.  18.     N.  C.  to  Ohio  R.,  Great  Lakes,  and  N.     (Catost. 
carpio  C.  &  V.,  not  of  Raf.  ;  Mox.  valenciennesi  Jordan  ;  Ptychosto- 
mus  velatus  and  collapsus  Cope,     (avicros,  unequal  ;  ovpa,  tail.) 

bb.  Dorsal  fin  moderate,  of  12  to  14  rays;  lower  lip  full,  scarcely  A-shaped, 

nearly  truncate  behind. 

c.  Dorsal  fin  with  its  free  margin  nearly  straight. 
d.  Head  large,  4  to  4^  in  length. 

81.  M.  macrolepidotum  (Le  Sueur).     COMMON  RED  HORSE. 
WHITE  SUCKER.    "MULLET."    Head  broad,  flattish  above;  mouth 
large,  with  thick  lips  ;  depth  of  cheek  usually  more  than  half  dis- 
tance  from   snout  to   preopercle  ;   eye  large  ;   edge  of  D.  nearly 
straight,  its  first  ray  shorter  than  head  ;  C.  lobes  subequal.     Oliva- 
ceous, with    bright   reflections  ;   sides  silvery  ;   lower  fins  always 
orange-red,    C.    sometimes    so.     Head  4  to  nearly  5  ;    depth  3£. 
D.  usually  13  ;  A.  7.     Scales  as  in  other  species  5-45-4.     L.  2  feet. 
Chesapeake  Bay  to  Dakota  and  Ala.,  very  abundant  ;  the  western 
form    (var.  duquesnei  Le    Sueur)    with   head   and   mouth   rather 
larger  than  in  the  eastern  form,  which  approaches  M.  aureolum. 
(fta/cpos-,  large  ;  Ae7riSa>TO?,  scaled.) 

dd.  Head  short  and  small,  4£  to  5|  in  length. 

82.  M.    aureolum  (Le   Sueur).     LAKE   RED   HORSE.     Head 
shorter  and  smaller  ?    mouth  rather  small,  with  thick  lips  ;    snout 


48  TELEOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI. — XII. 

bluntish ;  eye  moderate  ;  C.  lobes  subequal ;  D.  rather  low,  its 
longest  ray  less  than  base  of  fin.  Coloration  of  preceding,  the 
tail  as  well  as  lower  fins  always  red.  D.  13  ;  depth  3£.  Great 
Lakes,  etc.  Sometimes  confounded  with  the  next,  from  which  it 
is  well  distinguished,  but  it  may  intergrade  with  the  preceding. 
(Lat.,  gilded.) 

cc.  Dorsal  falcate,  the  free  margin  deeply  incised. 

83.  M.  crassilabre  *  (Cope).     Form  of  a  Coregonus,  with  deep, 
compressed  body,  small  head,  and  sharply  conic  snout,  which  over- 
hangs the  very  small  mouth ;  eye  small,  5  in  head.     D.  high,  the 
anterior  rays  l£  to  1^  times  base  of  fin;  free  margin  of  fin  con- 
cave, so  that  the  fin  is  decidedly  falcate.     C.  lobes  very  unequal, 
the  upper  always  longest ;  A.  large,  falcate,  reaching  beyond  front 
of  C.      D.  and"  C.  bright  red.     Head  5  to  5£ ;  depth  3£  to  3| ; 
lat.  1.  45.    Ohio  R.  to  N.  C.     (Ptychostomus  crassilabris,  conus,  and 
breviceps  Cope;    M.  anisura  Jor.  &  Gilb.,  not  of   Raf.)      (Lat. 
crassus,  thick ;  labrum,  lip.) 

bbb.  Dorsal  fin  quite  small,  of  10  to  12  rays;  lower  lip  thick,  truncate 
behind. 

84.  M.  cervinum  (Cope).    JUMP-ROCKS.    JUMPING  MULLET. 
Head  very  short,  rather  pointed ;    mouth  rather  large,  the  lips 
strongly  plicate ;    eye  small ;    fins  all  small ;  free  edge  of  dorsal 
straight,  its  longest  ray  less  than  head.     Color  greenish  brown,  a 
pale  blotch  on  each  scale,  these  forming  continuous  streaks ;  back 
with  brownish  blotches ;    fins  brownish,  scarcely  red.     Head  5 ; 
depth  4.     D.  11.     Scales  6-44  to  49-5.     L.  10  inches.     Ya.  to  Ga., 
not  rare.     (Lat.,  tawny,  like  a  deer.) 

47.  PLACOPHARYNX  Cope.     (ir\d£,  a  broad  surface  ; 
(frdpvyg,  pharynx.) 

85.  P.  carinatus    Cope.      A  large,   coarse   sucker,   externally 
similar  to  the  species  of  Moxostoma,  from  which  genus   it  differs 
only  in  the  remarkable  development  of  the  lower  pharyngeals  and 
their  teeth;   the  bones  are  very  strong,  and  6  to  10  of  the  lower 
teeth  are  enlarged,  little  compressed,  with  a  broad  rounded  or 
flattened  grinding  surface ;  the  mouth  is  larger  and  more  oblique 
than  in  M.  macrolepidotum  and  the  lips  are  thicker.     Head  broad 
and  flattish  above,  its  upper  surface  somewhat  uneven ;   longest 
rays  of  dorsal  longer  than  base  of  fin,  1^  in  head ;  free  edge  of  D. 
concave ;  upper  lobe  of  C.  narrower  than  lower,  and  more  or  less 
longer.     Color  dark  olive-green,  the  sides  brassy ;  no  silvery  lustre ; 
C.  and  lower  fins  orange-red.     Head  4;  depth  3f.    D.  12.     Scales 
6-45-5.     L.  30.     Ohio  to   Ga.   and   Ark.,   abundant    in    larger 
streams.     (Lat.,  keeled.) 

1  This  description  is  from  notes  of  Dr.  C.  H.  Gilbert,  taken  from  Ohio  R. 
specimens. 


CYPRINID^E.  —  XXVI.  49 

48.  LAGOCHILA  Jordan  &  Bray  ton. 

(Quassilcibia  Jord.  &  Brayt. ;   Lagochila  being  set  aside,  on  account 
of  its  similarity  to  Lagocheilus.}     (Xayws,  hare ;  %( ZAos,  Hp.) 

86.  L.  lacera  Jordan  &  Brayton.  HARE-LIP  SUCKER.  RABBIT- 
MOUTH  SUCKER.  PEA-LIP  SUCKER.  CUT-LIPS.  SPLIT-MOUTH. 
Upper  lip  plicate,  much  prolonged  ;  lower  reduced  to  two  separate 
elongate,  papillose  lobes,  the  split  between  them  reaching  the 
dentary  bones,  which  have  a  horny  sheath;  lower  lip  separated 
from  upper  by  a  deep  fissure  at  angle ;  skin  of  cheeks  sheathing 
this  fissure ;  body  rather  slender,  much  as  in  M.  cervinum  ;  oper- 
cle  small ;  head  very  small,  conical ;  dorsal  low.  Color  pale,  lower 
fins  slightly  reddish.  Head  5;  depth  4^.  D.  12.  Scales  5-45-5. 
L.  18.  Wabash  R.  (Hermann),  Scioto  R.,  Clinch  R.,  Chicka- 
mauga  R.,  and  White  R.,  Ark.;  most  common  in  the  Ozark 
Mountains;  a  most  singular  fish.  (Lat.,  torn.) 

FAMILY  XXVI.    CYPEINID^l.     (THE  MINNOWS.) 

Head  naked,  body  usually  scaly;  margin  of  upper  jaw  formed 
by  premaxillaries  only;  mouth  toothless;  barbels  2  to  4  (absent  in 
most  of  our  genera  and  not  large  in  any) ;  lower  pharyngeal  bones 
well  developed,  falciform,  nearly  parallel  with  the  gill  arches,  each 
provided  with  one  to  three  series  of  teeth  in  small  number,  rarely 
more  than  seven  on  each  side  ;  belly  usually  rounded,  rarely  com- 
pressed, never  serrated;  gill  openings  moderate,  the  membranes 
joined  to  the  isthmus;  no  adipose  fin;  dorsal  fin  (in  American 
species)  short,  with  less  than  ten  rays  ;  air-bladder  usually  large, 
commonly  divided  into  an  anterior  and  a  posterior  lobe,  rarely 
wanting ;  stomach  without  appendages,  appearing  as  a  simple  en- 
largement of  the  intestines. 

Fishes  of  moderate  or  small  size,  inhabiting  the  fresh  waters  of 
the  Old  World  and  of  North  America.  Genera  about  200,  species 
nearly  1,000;  excessively  abundant  where  found,  both  in  individ- 
uals and  in  species,  and  from  their  great  uniformity  in  size,  form, 
and  coloration  constituting  one  of  the  most  difficult  groups  in 
zoology  in  which  to  distinguish  species.  Ours  are  mostly  of 
smaller  size  than  those  of  the  Old  World,  several  of  the  larger 
European  types  being  represented  in  America  by  Catostomoid 
forms.  Our  largest  eastern  species,  Semotilus  bullaris,  rarely 
attains  a  weight  of  three  or  four  pounds,  and  a  length  of  nearly 
eighteen  inches.  The  smallest  species  of  Notropis  scarcely  reach 
a  length  of  two  inches. 

The  spring  or  breeding  dress  of  the  male  fishes  is  often  peculiar. 
The  top  of  the  head,  and  often  the  fins,  snout,  or  other  portions  of 
the  body,  are  covered  with  small  tubercles,  outgrowths  from  the 

4 


50  TELEOSTEI :  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

epidermis.  The  fins  and  other  parts  are  often  charged  with  pig- 
ment, the  usual  color  being  red,  but  sometimes  satin-white,  yellow- 
ish, or  black. 

NOTE.  —  Young  Cyprinida  are  usually  more  slender  than  adults  of  the 
same  species,  and  the  eye  is  always  much  larger ;  they  also  frequently  show 
a  black  lateral  stripe  and  caudal  spot,  which  the  adults  may  not  possess.  In 
the  following  descriptions,  the  rudimentary  rays  of  dorsal  and  anal  are  not 
counted.  The  fins  and  scales  are  often,  especially  in  specimens  living  in  small 
brooks,  covered  with  round  black  specks,  parasitic  plants.  These  should  not 
be  mistaken  for  true  color-markings. 

No  progress  can  be  made  in  the  study  of  these  fish  without  careful  attention 
to  the  teeth,  as  the  genera  are  largely  based  on  dental  characters.  The 
pharyngeal  bones  in  the  smaller  species  can  be  removed  by  inserting  a  pin  (or, 
better,  a  small  hook)  through  the  gill  opening,  under  the  shoulder  girdle. 
The  teeth  should  be  carefully  cleaned  with  a  tooth-brush,  or,  better,  a  jet  of 
water,  and  when  dry  may  be  examined  by  any  small  lens.  In  most  cases  a 
principal  row  of  four  or  five  larger  teeth  will  be  found,  in  front  of  which  is 
a  set  of  one  or  two  smaller  ones.  The  two  sides  are  usually,  but  not  always, 
symmetrical.  Thus,  "teeth  2,  4-5,  1,"  indicate  two  rows  of  teeth  on  each 
side,  on  the  one  side  four  in  the  principal  row  and  two  in  the  lesser,  on  the 
other  side  five  in  the  main  row  and  one  in  the  other.  "Teeth  4-4"  indi- 
cates a  single  row  of  four  on  each  pharyngeal  bone,  and  so  on. 

In  the  Leuciscine  genera,  these  teeth,  or  the  principal  ones,  are  "  rapta- 
torial,"  that  is,  hooked  inward  at  the  tips.  A  grinding  or  masticatory  surface 
is  an  excavated  space  or  groove,  usually  at  the  base  of  the  hook.  Sometimes 
the  grinding  surface  is  very  narrow  and  confined  to  one  or  two  teeth.  Some- 
times a  bevelled  or  flattened  edge  looks  so  much  like  a  grinding  surface  as  to 
mislead  a  superficial  observer.  In  some  cases,  the  edge  of  the  tooth  is  crenate 
or  serrate. 

Besides  the  native  species  here  mentioned,  representatives  of  two  other 
genera  have  been  introduced  from  Europe,  and  have  become  inhabitants  of 
some  eastern  streams.  These  are  Cyprinus  Linnaeus,  and  Carassius  Nilsson. 
The  first  is  distinguished  by  the  very  long  dorsal,  which,  like  the  anal,  is  pre- 
ceded by  a  strong  spine,  serrated  behind.  About  the  mouth  are  four  long 
barbels,  and  the  teeth  are  molar,  1,  3-3,  1.  This  genus  is  represented  by 
the  Carp  (Cyprinus  carpio  L.).  The  carp  is  normally  covered  with  large 
scales.  In  domestication,  however,  variations  have  arisen,  prominent  ones 
being  the  " Leather  Carp,"  naked,  and  the  "Mirror  Carp,"  with  a  few  series 
of  very  large  scales. 

Carassius  Nilsson  differs  from  Cyprinus,  chiefly  in  the  absence  of  barbels, 
and  in  having  the  teeth  compressed,  4-4.  The  Gold-fish  (Carassius  auratus 
L.)  is  originally  olivaceous,  but  only  the  orange-red  variety  is  valued  for 
aquaria.  Both  Carassius  and  Cyprinus  are  native  in  China. 

o.  Air-bladder  surrounded  by  many  convolutions  of  the  very  long  alimentary 

canal,  which  is  6  to  9  times  the  length  of  the  body.     ( Campostomince.) 
b.  Teeth  4-4,  or  1,  4-4,  0,  with  oblique  grinding  surface  and  slight  hook; 
peritoneum  black  (as  usual  in  herbivorous  fishes).     CAMPOSTOMA,  49. 
aa.  Air-bladder  wholly  above  (dorsal)  of  the  alimentary  canal. 
C.  Alimentary  canal  elongate,  more  than  twice  length  of  body  ;  teeth  one- 
rowed,  the  grinding  surface  well  developed,  the  hook  usually  slight 
or  wanting  ;    peritoneum  usually  black.    Species  chiefly  herbivorous. 
(  Chondrostominaz.) 


CYPRINIM.  —  XXVI.  51 

d.  Teeth  5-5  or  4-5 ;  dorsal  inserted  behind  ventrals ;  scales  very  small ; 
anal  short. 

e.  Pseudobranchiae  none ;  lower  jaw  thin,  with  sharp,  hard  edge ;  upper 

jaw  protractile,  with  fleshy  covering ;  lateral  line  complete;  body 

elongate,  subterete OXYGENEUM,  50. 

ee.  Pseudobranchiae  present;  lips  thin,  normal;  upper  jaw  protractile; 

lateral  line  incomplete CHROSOMUS,  51. 

dd.  Teeth  4-4;    pseudobranchiae   present;  dorsal  over  ventrals;    scales 
rather  large. 

f.  First  (rudimentary)  ray  of  D.  slender,  firmly  attached  to  the  first  de- 

veloped ray;  jaws  sharp-edged,  the  lower  with  a  slight  projection  in 
front;  scales  before  D.  large  (less  than  15).       HYBOGNATHUS,  52. 
ff.  *  First  (rudimentary)  ray  of  D.  well  developed,  bluntish,  separated 
from  the  first  developed  ray,  to  which  it  is  joined  by  membrane 
(this  character  never  conspicuous  except  in  adult  males;  often  ob- 
scure in  young);  scales  before  D.  small  (more  than  20.) 

PIMEPHALES,  53. 

cc.  Alimentar}'-  canal  short,  less  than  twice  length  of  body;  teeth  hooked, 
the  grinding  surface,  if  present,  narrow  and  rudimentary;  peritoneum 
usually  pale  ;  species  mostly  carnivorous. 

g.  Dentary  bones  parallel,  united  for  their  whole  length  (the  lower  jaw 
reduced  to  a  tongue-like  projection,  which  has  a  fleshy  lobe  on  each 
side.  (Exoglossince.) 

h.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile;  upper  lip  thickened;  scales  moder- 
ate ;  teeth  1,  4-4,  1,  without  grinding  surface.    EXOGLOSSUM,  54. 
gg.  Dentary  bones  broadly  arched,  as  usual  among  fishes,  and  united 

only  at  the  symphysis.     (Leuciscince.) 
i.  Abdomen  behind  V.  not  compressed  to  an  edge,  the  scales  passing 

over  it;  anal  basis  generally  short  (the  rays  7  to  12). 
j.  Teeth  in  the  main  row,  4-4. 
Ic.  Maxillary  without  traces  of  barbel. 
x.  [Premaxillaries  protractile.] 

I.  Lower  lip  thin  or  obsolete  (except  in  one  or  two  species),  not 

developed  as  a  fleshy  lobe  on  each  side. 

m.  Mandible,  interopercle,  and  suborbital  not  evidently  cavernous. 
n.  1  First  (rudimentary)  ray  of  D.  enlarged  and  bluntish,  sepa- 
rated from  the  first  developed  ray  by  membrane  (as  in  Pime- 
phales),  this  most  evident  in  <5  ;  scales  before  D.  small, 
about  28 ;  teeth  4-4 ;  [black  blotch  on  front  of  dorsal  and 
one  at  base  of  caudal  always  present]    .     .    CLIOI,A,  55. 
nn.  First  (rudimentary)  ray  of  D.  small,  closely  joined  to  the 
first  developed  ray ;  teeth  2,  1  or  0,  4-4,  2,  1  or  0 ;  scales 
rather  large ;  scales  before  D.  large  or  small  (12  to  30). 

NOTROPIS,  56. 

mm.  Mandible,  interopercle,  and  suborbital  with  conspicuous 
externally  visible  cavernous  areas  (like  silvery  cross- 
bars); teeth  1,  4-4,  0;  scales  large;  D.  above  V. 

ERICYMBA,  57. 

II.  Lower  lip  developed  as  a  fleshy  lobe  on  each  side ;  teeth  4-4, 

without  grinding  surface;  D.  before  V. ;  isthmus  very  broad. 

PHENACOBIUS,  58. 

1  This  character  is  more  or  less  obscure  In  females  and  young  examples. 


52  TELEOSTEI:   EVENTOGNATHI.  -  XII. 

xx.  [Premaxillaries  not  protractile  ;   scales  very  small  ;  barbel 
present,  but  minute]      .....     RHINICHTHYS,  59. 

We.  Maxillary  with  a  small  barbel  at  its  extremity  (rarely  obsolete). 

n.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2;  scales  small  ; 

dorsal  behind  ventrals  ......     RHINICHTHYS,  59. 

nn.  Premaxillaries  protractile. 

o.  Teeth  4-4,  or  1,  4-4,  1,  orl,  4-4,  0;  scales  not  very  small. 

HYBOPSIS,  60. 
oo.  Teeth,  2,  4-4,  2  or  1. 

p.  Head  transversely  convex  above;  teeth  without  grinding 
surface     ...........    COUESIUS,  61. 

pp.  Head    flattened  above;    teeth  with  grinding  surface; 
scales  large    ......     .     .    PLATYGOBIO,  62. 

jj.  Teeth  in  the  main  row  5-5  or  4-5. 

q.^  Maxillary  with  a  minute  barbel  placed  before  its  tip  ;  premax- 
illaries  protractile;  teeth,  2,  4-5,  2,  without  grinding  surface; 
caudal  fin  symmetrical    .......    SEMOTILUS,  63. 

qq.  Maxillary  without    barbel;    premaxillaries  protractile;   anal 

basis  short. 

r.  Teeth   two-rowed,  2,  4-5,  2,  or  2,  5-5,  2,  strongly  hooked; 
scales  moderate  or  small    ......    PHOXINUS,  64. 

[As  above,  the  head  broad  and  bluntish;  the  barbel  so  minute 

as  to  be  indistinguishable,  in  the  young  of  SEMOTILUS,  63.] 

rr.  Teeth  one-rowed,  5-5,  with  serrate  edges;  mouth  very  small, 

terminal  ;  D.  inserted  over  V.     ...    OPSOPCEODUS,  65. 

ii.  Abdomen  behind  V.,  compressed  to  an  edge,  the  scales  not  crossing 
it;  anal  basis  elongate  (the  rays  12  to  18);  teeth  5-5,  with  grind- 
ing surface  and  serrate  edges;  gill  rakers  rather  long;  no  bar- 
bels ;  D.  inserted  behind  V  .......  NOTEMIGONUS,  66. 


49.  CAMPOSTOMA  Agassiz.      (KC^TH?,  curve  ;  crro/za,  mouth.) 

87.  C.    anomalum   (Rafinesque)  .      STONE   LUGGER.     STONE 
ROLLER.     Brownish,  with  a  brassy  lustre  above,  the  scales  mot- 
tled ;  a  black  vertical  bar  behind  opercle  ;   iris  orange  ;   D.  and 
A.  each  with  a  dusky  cross-bar  about  half-way  up,   rest  of  the 
fin  in  spring  £  orange  ;    £    in  spring  with  many  rounded  tuber- 
cles on  head  and  body  ;  young  mottled  brownish,  the  fins  plain  ; 
scales  crowded  forward;  intestinal  canal  six  to  nine  times  the  total 
length  of  the  body,  its  numerous  convolutions  passing  above  and 
around  the  air-bladder,  an  arrangement  found  in  Campostoma  alone 
among  all  the  vertebrates.     D.  8;  A.  7.    Scales  7-53-8.    Teeth  4-4. 
L.  4  to  8.    W.  N.  Y.  to  Texas,  and  Tenn.  in  small  streams,  every- 
where abundant  ;  one  of  the  most  curious  of  American  fishes.  Very 
variable. 

50.  OXYGENETJM  Forbes.     (o|v$-,  sharp  ;  y«W,  chin.) 

88.  O.  pulverulentum   Forbes.      Form  of   Moxostoma:    head 
small,  conical  ;  mouth  large,  terminal  ;  gill  rakers  slender  ;    eye  4 
in  head;   31  scales  before  dorsal;    breast  scaly.     Color  pale,  the 


CYPRINID^E.  —  XXVL  53 

back  and   sides  dusted  with  dark   specks.     Head  4J ;    depth  5. 
D.  high,  8.    A.  7     Lat.  1.  63.     L.  2J.     Illinois  R.    (Lat.,  dusted). 

51.  CHROSOMUS  Rafinesque.     (xp<»s>  color;  o-oi/ua,  body.) 

89.  C.    erythrogaster  Rafinesque.      RED-BELLIED   MINNOW. 
Brownish  olive,  with  black  spots  on  the  back,  a  blackish  band  from 
above  eye,  straight  to  the  tail,  sometimes  breaking  up  in  spots  be- 
hind ;    another  below,  broader,  running   through   eye,  decurved 
along  the  lateral  line,  ending  in  a  black  spot  at  base  of  C. ;  belly 
and  space  between  bands  bright  silvery,  brilliant  scarlet  red  in 
spring  males,  as  are  the  bases  of  the  vertical  fins;    females  ob- 
scurely marked.    D.  8;  A.  9.    Scales  16-85-10.     L.  2£.     Penn.  to 
Dakota  and  Tenn.,  abundant  in  small  clear  streams;  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  of  our  fishes  ;  in  high  coloration  the  fins  are  bright 
yellow.     It  is  the  most  desirable  of  all  our  minnows  for  aquarium 
purposes,  being  hardy,  graceful,  and  gaily  colored,     (epvtipos,  red ; 
yacrrrjp,  belly.) 

52.  HYBOGNATHUS  Agassiz.     (v£<fc,  gibbous  ;  yvdtios,  jaw.) 

a.  Teeth  comparatively  long,  and  scarcely  hooked;  silvery  species.    (Hybo- 

gnathus.) 

b.  Suborbitals  broad,  the  anterior,  about  twice  as  long  as  deep. 
c.  Mouth  narrow,  its  cleft  not  reaching  nearly  to  eye ;  lower  jaw  shorter 
than  upper,  obtuse  at  tip. 

90.  H.  nuchalis  Agassiz.     Body  rather  slender;   head  rather 
short,  the  profile  evenly  curved  ;  eye  moderate,  4  in  head  ;  lateral 
line  decurved  ;  13  large  scales  in  front  of  D.  ;  intestine  7  to  10 
times  length  of  body.     Silvery  green,  sides  bright  silvery,  with  an 
underlying  plumbeous  shade ;  fins  all  pale.    Head  4^  to  5 ;  depth  4^. 
D.  8,  A.  7.    Scales  5-38-4.    L.  4  to  9.    N.  J.  to  S.  C.,  Dakota,  and 
Texas,  common  near  large  rivers.     Variable  ;  notable  varieties  are 
placita  Girard,  Arkansas  and  Missouri   rivers,  the   eye  smaller, 
5  in  head,  the  snout  depressed  and  blunt,  with  very  small  mouth; 
var.   regia  Girard,  Potomac    River,  larger   (7  inches  long),   with 
deeper  body  and  larger  eye,  3|  in  head.     (Lat.,  pertaining  to  the 
nape.) 

cc.  Mouth  wide,  its  cleft  reaching  about  to  eye;  jaws  subequal,  the  lower 
acutish  at  tip. 

91.  H.  argyritis  Girard.     Silvery.     Upper  Missouri  and  Red 
R.  of  North.     (Lat.,  silvery.) 

aa.  Teeth  comparatively  short,  distinctly  hooked;  suborbitals  very  narrow; 
plumbeous  species.     (Dlonda  Girard.) 

92.  H.  nubila  (Forbes).     Maxillary  3£  in  head  ;  snout  short,  not 
very  blunt ;  eye  3  in  head  ;  12  scales  before  D.      Head  4^  ;  depth 
4J.     Scales  5-37-3.     Olivaceous  with  plumbeous  or  dusky  lateral 


54  TELEOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

band  ;  no  caudal  spot  ;  fins  mostly  red.     L.  2J.     N.  111.  to  Ozark 
region.     (Lat.,  dusky.) 


53.  PIMEPHALES  Rafinesque.     (Tri/xeX^s,  fat  ;  Ke^aXq,  head.) 
o.  Lateral  line  wanting  or  more  or  less  imperfect.     (Pimephales.) 

93.  P.  promelas  Rafinesque.     Body  more  or  less  short  and 
deep  ;  head  short,  blunt,  almost  globular  in  adult  £  ;  V.  reaching 
beyond  front  of  A.  ;  scales  before  D.  about  27.    Olivaceous,  a  black 
bar  across  middle  of  D.  (faint  in  young)  ;  a  dark  shade  along  cau- 
dal peduncle  ;  adult  $  dusky,  the  head  jet-black,  with  large  tuber- 
cles on  snout.     Head  4  ;  depth  4.     D.  I.  7.     A.  7.     Scales  7-47-6. 
L.  2^.     L.  Champlain  to  Dakota  and  Texas,  abundant  in  sluggish 
brooks.     Very  variable  ;  S.  W.  specimens  (var.  confertus  Girard) 
have  the  lateral  line  almost  complete,    (npo,  before  ;  peXas,  black.) 
aa.  Lateral  line  complete.    (HyborJiynchus  Agassiz.) 

94.  P.  notatus   (Rafinesque).      Body  rather   elongate  ;   head 
rather  long,  the  snout  abruptly  decurved;  mouth  horizontal,  small; 
V.  not  to  vent;  scales  before  D.  small,  crowded,  about  23.     Color 
olivaceous,  little  silvery,  sides  bluish;  a  dusky  shade  toward  base  of 
D.;  a  black  blotch  on  front  of  D.,  wanting  in  young;  head  wholly 
black  in  spring  males,  the  snout  with  14  large  tubercles.    Head  4^; 
depth  5.     D.  I.  8.     A.  7.     Scales  6-45-4.     L.  4.     Quebec  to  Del., 
Miss.,  and  Kansas,  very  abundant,  variable.     (Lat.,  marked.) 

54.  EXOGLOSSUM  Rafinesque.     («f£a>,  outside;  yXwo-o-a, 
tongue.) 

95.  E.  maxillingua  (Le  Sueur).      CUT-LIPS.      STONE-TOTER. 
Body  rather  stout;  eye  small;   head  large,  with  tumid  cheeks; 
lower  jaw  included.     Color  dusky,  a  blackish  bar  behind  head;  a 
dusky  shade  at  base  C.  ;  fins  plain.    Head  4  ;  depth  4|>    D.  8.    A.  7. 
Scales  8-53-5.     L.  6.      Hudson  R.  to  Va.,  abundant.      A  curious 
fish,   remarkably  distinguished  from   all  other  Cyprinidce  by  its 
3-lobed  lower  jaw.     (Lat.  maxilla,  jaw;  lingua,  tongue.) 

55.  CLIOLA  Girard.     (A  coined  name.) 

96.  C.  vigilax  (Baird  &  Girard).    BULL-HEAD  MINNOW.    Body 
rather  stout,  compressed,  with  deep  tail;  head  heavy,  blunt;  snout 
short,  decurved;  mouth  terminal,  slightly  oblique;  eye  3^  in  head; 
teeth  strongly  hooked  ;  scales  in  front  of  D.  small,  crowded.     Pale 
olivaceous,  with  a  plumbeous  lateral  band,  always  ending  in  a  black 
spot  at  base  of  C.  ;  a  conspicuous  black  spot  on  middle  of  front  of 
D.     Head  4^;  depth  4.    D.  L  8.    A.  7.    Scales  8-42-6;  28  scales 
before  dorsal.     L.  3.     Ind.  to  Miss,  and  Texas,  very  abundant. 
Resembles  PimepTiales  notatus,  but  distinguished  by  the  short  in- 
testine, larger  mouth,  paler  coloration,  with  more  definite  markings. 


CYPRINID.E.  —  XXVI.  55 

(Hybopsis  tudltanus  Cope;  Alburnops  taurocepJialus  Hay.)     (Lat., 
watchful.) 

56.  NOTROPIS  Rafinesque.     (AMERICAN  MINNOWS.) 
(MINNILUS  Rafinesque,  etc.,  etc.) 

(As  now  understood,  this  genus  contains  upwards  of  a  hundred 
species  of  small  Cyprinoids,  all  of  them  confined  to  the  waters  of 
E.  N.  A.  They  are  feeble  fishes,  of  rather  low  organization,  none 
of  them  of  any  value  as  food  to  man,  but  of  great  importance  as 
food  for  the  larger  predatory  fishes.  The  species  are  highly  vari- 
able, readily  affected  by  surrounding  conditions,  while  the  per- 
manently distinctive  characters  are  few.  The  identification  of 
species  in  this  group  is  therefore  very  difficult,  and  in  the  case 
of  young  specimens  often  impossible.  The  following  analysis  must 
be  used  with  caution,  as  all  characters  are  subject  to  occasional 
or  individual  variations.)  (I/OJTOS,  back;  rpoiris,  keel;  but  the 
back  is  not  keeled.  Rafinesque's  types  had  been  shrivelled  by 
drying.) 

a.  Teeth  4,  4,  or  1,  4-4,  0,  or  1,  4-4,  1  (sometimes  1,  4-4,  2  in  N.  hudsonius). 
b.  Scales  not  closely  imbricated,  not  notably  deeper  than  long;  D.  inserted 

neai'ly  over  V. ;  A.  short,  its  rays  7  or  8. 
c.  Teeth  4-4,  the  grinding  surface  more  or  less  developed. 
d.  Lateral  line  usually  incomplete ;  scales  before  D.  large,  13  in  num- 
ber.    (Hemitremia  Cope.) 
e.  Snout  very  obtuse ;  lower  jaw  not  projecting. 

97.  N.  bifrenatus  (Cope).     Body  slender,  the  tail  contracted; 
upper  lip  on  level  of  lower  part  of  pupil ;  jaws  subequal,  eye  large, 
3  in  head;   lateral  line  very  short.      Straw-color,  with  jet-black 
lateral  band,  bordered  with  orange  on  snout.     Head  4-jr ;  depth  4£. 
D.  8.     A.  7.     Scales  5-36-3.     L.  2.     Mass,  to  Md.     (Lat.,  two- 
bridled.) 

98.  N.  anogenus  Forbes.      Very  similar  to  N.  heterodon,  but 
with  lateral  line  usually  complete;  the  mouth  very  small  and  very 
oblique,  the  lower  jaw  included,  the  upper  lip  above  level  of  pupil; 
snout  short,  blunt.    Dusky,  a  very  distinct  lateral  band  and  a  black 
spot  at  base  of  C. ;  a  black  speck  on  each  pore  of  lateral  line. 
Head  4£;  depth  4f.     A.  7.     Lat.  1.  34  to  37.     L.  1£.     W.  N.  Y. 
(Ithaca,  Meek)  to  111.     (a,  without;  -yews,  chin.) 

ee.  Snout  pointed ;  lower  jaw  projecting. 

99.  N.  heterodon  Cope.     Body  rather  stout;  eye  3  in  head; 
lateral  line  usually  developed  about  half-way,  sometimes  nearly  per- 
fect.    Olive,  sides  with  dusky  plumbeous  band,  fainter  than  in 
preceding.     Head  4 ;  depth  4.     A.  8.      Scales  5-36-3.     L.  2£. 
Teeth  crenate.     W.  N.  Y.  to  Kans. ;  common.     (Other  specimens 
from  Ind.  and  111.  have  lateral  line  complete,  and  teeth  2,  4-4,  2. 


56  TELBOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI. —  XII. 

"Whether  a  variety  or  a  distinct  species  is  not  certainly  known.1) 
(fTcpos,  different ;  oSovs,  tooth.) 

dd.  Lateral  line  complete.    (Afiniellus  Jordan.) 
f.  Lips  thin,  not  fleshy ;  scales  before  D.  large,  in  13  to  17  rows. 
g.  Body  rather  elongate,  the  depth  less  than  £  the  length. 

100.  N.  procne  (Cope).      Slender,  with  the  tail  long;   snout 
blunt;  mouth  inferior,  small;  13  scales  before  D. ;  eye  large.    Oli- 
vaceous, a  dark  lateral  band.    Head  4f ;  depth  5£.    Scales  5-32-3. 
A.  7.     L.  21.     W.  N.  Y.  to  Md.     (TrpAewj,  a  kind  of  swallow.) 

101.  N.  fretensis  (Cope).    Slender,  compressed;  mouth  oblique; 
eye  3|  in  head ;  1 7  scales  before  D. ;  lateral  line  decurved.    Olive, 
a  plumbeous  lateral  shade  and  dark  spot  at  base  C.     Head  4; 
depth  5.     A.  8.     Scales  6-35-3.     L.  2^.     Great  Lake  region  (un- 
known to  me.)     (Lat.,  inhabiting  straits,  i.  e.  Detroit  R.) 

102.  N.  spectrunculus  (Cope).    Body  elongate,  head  large  and 
broad ;  eye  3  in  head ;  snout  thick ;  mouth  terminal,  oblique  ;  pre- 
maxillaries  in  front  on  level  of  middle  of  pupil ;  15  scales  before  D. 
Olivaceous,  dark   above,  a  plumbeous   lateral  band  and  distinct 
black  caudal  spot ;    $  with  fins  orange.    Head  4  ;  depth  5^.     A.  9. 
Lat.  1.  37.     L.  3.     Tenn.  R.     (Lat.,  a  little  image.) 

103.  N.  deliciosus  (Girard).     Body  stoutish,  little  compressed; 
head  rather  broad,  the  mouth  small,  inferior,  horizontal;   snout 
obtuse;  eye  large,  3  in  head;  12  to  15  scales  before  D.     Pale 
olivaceous,  sides  usually  pale ;  sometimes  with  a  dusky  stripe,  but 
no  dark  C.  spot.     Head  4;  depth  5.     L.  2J.     Great  Lakes  to  Va. 
and   Texas;   an   insignificant  little  fish.     Variable,  running  into 
several  varieties.     Var.  deliciosus,  Mo.  and  S.  W.,  lat.  1.  32  to  35; 
var.  stramineus  Cope,  Miss.  Valley,  lat.  1.  34  to  38  (5-36-4)  ;  var. 
longiceps  Cope,  Va.,  lat.  1.  33  to  36  ;  a  distinct  lateral  stripe,  snout 
longer  and  fins  higher;  var.  volucella  Cope,  Mich.,  snout  longer; 
fins  longer ;  P.  reaching  V. 

gg.  Body  rather  stout,  the  depth  more  than  \  the  length. 

104.  N.  topeka  Gilbert.     Body  compressed,  stout;  snout  blunt; 
mouth  small,  terminal,  oblique ;  eye  4£  in  head ;  14  scales  before 
D;  lateral  line  anteriorly  decurved.     Olivaceous,  a  dusky  lateral 
streak,  ending  in  a  small  caudal  spot ;  males  with  sides  and  fins 
bright  red.     Head  4;  depth  3|.     A.  7.     Scales  5-35-4.     L.  2|. 
W.  Iowa  to  Kans. 

ff.  Lips  thick,  fleshy. 

105.  N.  phenacobius   Forbes.     Mouth   small,   inferior;    body 
short  and  deep;  snout  long;  eye  very  large,  3£  in  head;  breast 
naked ;  fins  low.     Head  4 ;  depth  3f .     A.  8.     Lat.  1.  35.    L.  2J. 

i  See  Gilbert,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1884,  p.  207. 


—  xxvi.  57 

N^ 

Silvery,  sides  with  some  black  specks.     Illinois  R.     (Probably  not 
a  Notropis.) 

cc.  Teeth  1,  4-4,  0;  1,  4-4,  1;  or  1,  4-4,  2;  the  grinding  surface  more  or 

less  developed. 
h.  Head  comparatively  large,  3|  to  about  4  in  length  ;  teeth  1,  4-4,  1 ; 

species  of  small  size.    (Alburnops  Girard.) 
i.  Eye  moderate,  4  in  head  in  adult. 

106.  N.  gilbert!  Jordan  &  Meek.     Slender,  with  long  tail;  head 
long,  flattish  above ;  snout  moderate ;  mouth  rather  large,  little 
oblique,  the  lower  jaw  included.     Scales  before  D.  17;  D.  slightly 
behind  V.     Greenish,  sides  with  dusky  streak  and  dark  specks. 
Head  4 ;  depth  5.    A.  9.     Scales  5-35-4.     L.  2£.     Iowa  and  Mo. 
(To  Prof.  Charles  Henry  Gilbert.) 

M.  Eye  very  large,  2 i  to  3  in  head. 

107.  N.  boops  Gilbert.     Body  compressed,  the  back  elevated; 
tail  slender ;  snout  short,  not  blunt ;  mouth  terminal,  very  oblique, 
lower  jaw  not  included ;  maxillary  to  front  of  eye ;  D.  over  V. ; 
12  scales  before  dorsal.    HeadSf ;  depth  4  j.    A,  7.    Scales  5-36-2. 
Teeth  1,  4-4,  1,  with  deep,  grinding  surface,  the  inner  edge  strongly 
crenate.    L.  3.    Olivaceous  sides  with  dusky  streak  and  dark  specks. 
S.  Ind.  to  Iowa  and  Ark.,  common  S.  W.  in  cold  streams.     (/Sour, 
bull ;  oty-,  eye.)     N.  scdbriceps  Jordan  &  Gilbert,  not  of  Cope.) 

hh.  Head  short,  bluntish,  about  5  in  length  in  adult;  species  of  large 
size  and  silvery  coloration.    (Hudsonius  Girard.) 

108.  N.    hudsonius    (De    Witt     Clinton).      SPAWN -EATER. 
"  SMELT."     Body  elongate,  moderately  compressed ;   head   short, 
with  blunt  snout ;  eye  very  large,  3  to  3£  in  head ;  mouth  small, 
subiuferior ;  lateral  line  slightly  decurved ;  12  to  18  scales  before 
dorsal ;  fins  rather  small.     Pale  olive,  young  always  with  a  round 
black  spot  at  base  of  caudal ;  sometimes  a  dark  lateral  band ;  fins  un- 
marked.   Head  4£  to  5 ;  depth  4£  to  5.    D.  8.    A.  8.    Scales  5-39-4. 
Teeth  variable,  sometimes  2  in  one  of  lesser  rows,  sometimes  none 
of  them  with  grinding  surface.     L.  10.     Lake  Superior  to  N.Y., 
and  S.  in  coastwise  streams  to  Ga.,  abundant  and  very  variable.    N. 
specimens  usually  have  teeth  2,  4-4,  1.     Southern  examples,  Va. 
to  Ga.  (var.  amarus  Girard),  usually  have  teeth  1,  4-4,  1  or  0. 
The  species  seldom  ascends  small  streams.     (From  Hudson  R.) 

bb.  Scales  very  closely  imbricated  along  sides  of  body,  most  of  them  deeper 

than  long  ;  body  usually  compressed. 
j.  Pharyngeal  teeth  usually  4-4,  their  edges  serrate.     (Moniana  Girard.) 

109.  N.  lutrensis    (Baird  &   Girard).     Adult  with  the  body 
deep,  strongly  compressed,  the  back  arched;  young  variously  elon- 
gate or  elliptical ;  head  short,  blunt ;  mouth  moderate,  oblique,  the 
lower  jaw  included ;  eye  small,  about  4  in  head ;  lateral  line  strongly 


58  TELEOSTEI:   EVENTOGNATHI. — XII. 

decurved ;  13  to  15  scales  before  D.  $  steel-blue,  profusely 
tuberculate,  belly  and  fins  blood-red ;  a  violet  and  a  crimson  cres- 
cent behind  shoulder ;  9  plain ;  fins  unspotted.  Head  3f ;  depth 
2£  (adult)  to  4  (young).  A.  8.  Scales  6-35-2.  Teeth  sometimes 
1,  4-4,  1.  L.  3.  S.  111.  to  Rio  Grande,  very  abundant  S.  W. ;  a 
very  brilliant  and  very  variable  little  fish.  (Lat.  lutra,  otter ;  first 
known  from  Otter  Creek,  Ark.) 

jj.  Pharyngeal  teeth  1,  4-4,  1,  their  edges  often  crenate  ;  ours  with  narrow 
grinding  surface ;  adult  males  with  a  large  black  blotch  on  upper  pos- 
terior rays  of  D.  (Cyprinella1  Girard.) 

x.  Anal  short,  its  rays  8  or  9  ;  D.  inserted  just  behind  V. ;  J  in  spring 
with  the  fins  charged  with  satin-white  pigment. 

110.  N.  whipplei  (Girard).     SILVER- FIN.     Body  subelliptical, 
the  adult  much  compressed ;  head  short,  not  very  blunt ;  mouth 
rather  small,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  shorter ;  eye  small,  4|  in  head ; 
males  with  high  fins.    Bluish  silvery ;  scales  dusky  edged ;  a  dark 
vertebral  line ;  dorsal  blotch  large  in  adult,  wanting  in  young  ; 
no  creamy  band  across  base  of  C.     Head  4£;  depth  4.     A.  8. 
Scales   5-38-3.     Teeth    serrate.     L.   4.     W.   N.  Y.   to  Va.   and 
Minn.,  S.  to  Ark.,  abundant.    (To  Capt.  A.  W.  Whipple,  U.  S.  A.) 

111.  N.  galacturus   (Cope).      Similar   to   the   preceding,   but 
larger,  more  elongate  and  less  compressed,  the  scales  less  closely 
imbricated,  lateral  line  less  decurved;  teeth  usually  not  serrate; 
the  lower  jaw  included.    Color  like  preceding  but  more  silvery ;  C. 
dusky,  its  basal  third  bright  creamy  yellow.     Head  4| ;  depth  4£. 
A.  8.     Scales  6-41-3.     L.  6.     Ozark  region,  E.  to  E.  Tenn.  and 
Savannah  R.  in  mountain  streams.     (yaXa,  milk;  oupa,  tail.) 

112.  N.  camurus  Jordan  &  Meek.     More  robust  than  the  pre- 
ceding, the  back  elevated ;  anterior  profile  steep,  the  snout  bluntly 
decurved;  mouth  small,  oblique;  teeth  crenate.     Color  much  as  in 
N.  whipplei.     Head  4| ;  depth  3£.     A.  9.     Scales  6-38-4.     L.  4. 
Ark.  R.,  N.  E.  to  S.  Missouri.     (Lat.,  blunt-faced.) 

aa.    Teeth  2,  4-4,  2  ;  lateral  line  complete, 
y.  Base  of  anal  short,  its  rays  7  to  9. 

k.  Scales  on  sides  much  deeper  than  long,  especially  in  the  adult,  and  so 
close ly  imbricated  that  the  exposed  edges  are  very  narrow;  body 
deep  ;  D.  fin  inserted  above  V.  (Luxilus  Raf.; 

113.  N.  megalops  (Rafinesque).    COMMON  SHINER;  RED-FIN, 
DACE.     Body  short,  compressed  in  the  adult,  in  the  young  elon- 
gate;   head    heavy,   interorbital   area  rounded;    snout    bluntish; 
mouth  moderate,  little  oblique;  lower  jaw  included  ;  eye  moderate, 
4  to  5  in  head;  lateral  line  decurved ;  about  20  (15  to  25)  scales 
before  D.     Adult  steel-blue,  with  gilt  lines  in  life,  sides  silvery ; 

1  Numerous  species  of  this  group,  some  of  them  very  delicately  colored,  abound  in 
the  rivers  of  the  South. 


CYPRINID^E.  —  XXVI.  59 

fins  pale ;  a  dark  shade  behind  shoulder ;  spring  males  tuberculate, 
with  the  belly  and  lower  fins  bright  rosy.  Head  4| ;  depth  3  to  5. 
A.  9.  Scales  6-41-3.  L.  8.  In  all  brooks  from  Maine  to  Rocky 
Mts.  except  those  of  the  Carolinas  and  Texas ;  excessively  abun- 
dant and  variable.  (Luxilus  cornutus  (Mitchill).)  (/iryoAos,  big; 
<ty,  eye.) 

kk.  Scales  on  sides  less  closely  imbricated,1  scarcely  deeper  than  long; 
body  not  elevated ;  small  fishes  often  brilliant  in  the  nuptial 
season.  (Hydrophlox  2  Jordan  &  Bray  ton.) 

m.  Teeth  with  narrow  grinding  surface ;  D.  inserted  more  or  less  be- 
hind V. 
n.  Lower  jaw  distinctly  projecting  beyond  upper. 

114.  N.  coccogenis  (Cope).     Body  elongate,  compressed ;  head 
pointed;  mouth  large,  very  oblique,  the  maxillary  past  front  of 
eye  ;  eye  very  large,  3^  in  head  ;  20  scales  before  D.     Olivaceous, 
silvery  below  ;  males  -with  a  scarlet  vertical  brand  on  preopercle ; 
a  red  axillary  spot ;  snout  and  belly  rosy ;  a  dark  scapular  band ; 
outer  half  of  D.  and  C.  dusky.     Head  4 ;  depth  4^.     A.  9.     Scales 
7-42-3.    L.  5.    Mountain  streams,  Ky.  to  Ga.    (KOKKOS,  cherry-red ; 
ycvciov,  cheek.) 

nn.  Lower  jaw  little  if  at  all  projecting. 

115.  N.  zonatus  (Agassiz).     Body  rather  elongate;  head  long, 
not  acute;  jaws   equal;    maxillary  3  in  head,  not  to  eye;  snout 
shortish;    eye  very  large,  3  in  head;  lateral  line  decurved;   16 
scales  before  D.     <j?  and  young  olivaceous,  with  plumbeous  lateral 
band  and  no  caudal  spot.     $  in  spring  with  black  lateral  band, 
sides  and  lower  parts  flame-red.    Head  4£;  depth  4f.     A.  9.    Scales 
6-39-4.     L.  5.     Ozark  region. 

116.  N.  lacertosus   (Cope).      Body   stout,    with  large   head; 
mouth  wide,  the  lower  jaw  projecting;  eye  large,  3^  in  head,  equal 
to  snout  or  interorbital ;  maxillary  not  to  eye.     Silvery.     D.  dusky ; 
no  red.     Head  4 ;  scales  5  above  lat.  1.    L.  4^.    Holston  R.    (Lat., 
lizard-like.) 

117.  N.  rubricroceua  (Cope).    RED  FALL-FISH.    Head  rather 
pointed;  mouth  oblique,  rather  large,  the  jaws  equal;  eye  large,  3^ 
in  head;  lateral  line  decurved;  19  scales  before  D.     £  blue,  with 
black  lateral   band,  the  whole  body  more  or  less  suffused  with 
blood-red;   9    pale.     Head  4;  depth  4|.     A.  9.     Scales   7-38-8. 
L.  2^.     Mountain  torrents,  on  both  sides  of  Great  Smoky  range. 
(Lat.,  saffron-red.) 

118.  N.  chalybaeus  (Cope).     Body  slender,  the  back  elevated; 
snout  pointed;  mouth  oblique;  lower  jaw  projecting;  lateral  line 

1  This  character  is  not  of  much  value,  as  in  some  of  the  species  the  scales  become 
quite  closely  imbricated  in  adult  specimens. 

8  Numerous  species  of  this  type,  gaily  colored  little  fishes,  are  found  in  the 
southern  streams. 


60  TELEOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

decurved;  eye  3  in  head;  18  scales  before  D.  Brown,  a  jet-black 
lateral  band ;  $  orange  below.  Head  3| ;  depth  about  4^.  A.  8. 
Scales  6-35-3.  L.  2.  Delaware  R.  (Lat.,  steel-colored.) 

mm.  Teeth  without  grinding  surface ;  D.  fin  nearly  opposite  V. 
o.  Base  of  C.  with  a  black  spot ;  snout  and  base  of  D.  red  in 
spring. 

119.  N.  leuciodus  (Cope).    Slender,  the  snout  rounded;  mouth 
oblique,  the  lower  jaw  not  projecting  ;  lateral  line  nearly  straight ; 
1 2  scales  before  D.     Silvery,  a  purplish  lateral  band.     Head  4^. 
A.  8.     Scales  5-39-3.     L.  3.     Holston  R.'    (AeuKoy,  white.) 

oo.  Base  of  C.  without  black  spot  in  adult ;  cf  without  red. 
p.  Eye  rather  large,  3  to  3|  in  head. 

120.  N.  jejunus  (Forbes).     Slender;  snout  blunt;  mouth  rather 
large,  oblique;  16  scales  before  D.     Pale,  a  silvery  lateral  band 
over  plumbeous.     Head  4 ;  depth  4|.     A.  7.     Scales  5-37-3.    L.  3. 
Penn.  to  Kans.     (Lat.,  hungry.) 

121.  N.  scabriceps  (Cope).     Stout,  head  heavy,  flattish  above, 
with  blunt  snout ;  mouth  little  oblique ;  eye  3  in  head ;  lateral  line 
decurved ;  fins  small.    Olive,  with  a  silvery  plumbeous  lateral  band. 
Head  4;  depth  4£.     A.  8.     Scales  6-38-3.     Kanawha  R.     (Lat. 
scabei',  rough ;  ceps,  head.) 

pp.  Eye  very  large,  about  2i  in  head. 

122.  N.  ariommus  (Cope).      Body  stout,  compressed  ;   head 
large ;    snout  rather  blunt ;    mouth  moderate,   oblique,  the  jaws 
equal;  eye  much  longer  than  snout,  larger  than  in  any  other  of 
our  Cyprinidce  ;  15  scales  before  D. ;  lateral  line  much  decurved. 
Olivaceous,   sides   silvery.     Head  3| ;    depth  4J.     A.  9.     Scales 
6-39-2.     L.  5.     Ind.  to  N.  Ala.     (apt,  an  intensive  prefix ;  6/i/xa, 
eye ;  i.  e.  big-eyed.) 

yy.  Base  of  anal  comparatively  elongate,  its  rays  10  to  12  ;  D.  inserted 

behind  V. 

q.  Scales  comparatively  small,  closely  imbricated  along  sides ;    scales  be- 
fore D.  small,  20  to  30;  teeth  with  narrow  grinding  surface;  nuptial 
colors  brilliant.     (Lythrurus  Jordan.) 
r.  A  very  distinct  roundish  black  spot  at  base  of  first  rays  of  D. 

123.  N.  ardens  (Cope).     RED-FIN.     Body  more  or  less  elon- 
gate, strongly  compressed  ;   head  rather   pointed;   mouth  large, 
rather  oblique,  the  chin  somewhat  projecting;  eye  moderate;  D. 
high;  about  30  scales  before  it;   lateral  line  much  decurved.      9 
very  pale,  the  dorsal  spot  usually  distinct;   £  steel-blue,  belly  and 
lower  fins  brick-red  in  spring.     Head  4J  ;  depth  4J.     D.  8.    A.  11 
or  12.     Scales  9-50-3.     L.  3£.     Minn,  to  Va.  and  Tenn.,  abundant. 
Very  variable,  but  the  varieties  (lythrurus,  atripes,  c.yanocephalus) 
are  hardly  worthy  of  separate  names.    (Minnilus  diplemius  Jordan 
&  Gilbert;  not  diplemius  Raf.)     (Lat.,  burning.) 


CYPRINID^E.  —  XXVI.  61 

rr.  No  distinct  black  spot  at  base  of  D.  in  front. 
s.  Body  rather  deep  and  compressed,  the  depth  21  to  4j  in  length. 

124.  N.  umbratilis  (Girard).      $  with  the  body  very  deep;   9 
comparatively  elongate;    snout  short  and  blunt;  mouth  terminal, 
wide,  oblique ;  lower  jaw  included ;  eye  about  4  in  head ;  30  scales 
before  D.     Olivaceous,  thickly  dusted  with  black  specks ;  fins  in 
g  all  jet-black ;  paler  or  dusky  in  9  ;  body  and  fins  flushed  with  red 
in  spring.   Head  4  ;  depth  (male)  2f.   A.  10  or  11.   Lat.  1.  40.   L.  3. 
111.  to  Kansas  and  S.,  locally  common.     Very  variable.    (N.  macro- 
lepidotus  Forbes  (111.)  seems  to  be  the   same,  but  with  19  scales 
before  D.)     (Lat.,  shady.) 

ss.  Body  elongate,  the  depth  even  in  males  about  1  the  length. 

125.  N.  lirus  Jordan.      Very  slender;  eye  3  in  head.     Color 
pale,  silvery ;  sides  with  a  band  of  metallic  blue ;  series  of  black 
dots  on  bases  of  D.  and  A. ;  males  with  red  fins.    Head  4^ ;  depth 
5£.    A.  10.    Scales  8-45-4.    L.  2J.    Tenn.  and  Ala.    (Xetpds,  pale.) 

qq.  Scales  comparatively  large,  not  closely  imbricated ;  scales  before  D. 
large,  in  about  15  rows;  teeth  without  grinding  surface;  D.  inserted 
behind  V.;  mouth  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  scarcely  shorter;  elon- 
gate, silvery  species,  the  males  usually  with  snout  and  base  of  dorsal 
rosy.  (Notropis.1) 
t.  Fins  moderate,  the  ventrals  extending  beyond  middle  of  dorsal. 

126.  N.  photogenis  (Cope).     Slender,  compressed;  mouth  ob- 
lique, the  jaws  subequal ;  maxillary  not  quite  to  orbit ;  lateral  line 
decurved  ;  eye  large,  3J  in  head,  as  long  as  snout.    Greenish,  sides 
silvery.    Head  4J  ;  depth  5£.    A.  10.    Scales  6-40-3.    L.  3.    Penn. 
to  W.  Va.  and  S.     (<£a>y,  light;  yews,  cheek.) 

127.  N.  telescopus  (Cope).   Similar  to  preceding,  the  D.  farther 
forward,  not  much  behind  V.,  midway  between  snout  and  C. ;  eye 
very  large,  2|  in  head ;  mouth  oblique,  the  jaws  subequal ;  scales 
above  dark-edged.     Head  4£;   depth  5.     A.  10.     Scales  5-38-3. 
L.  3£.     Tenn.  R.     (rrjAeo-KOTros,  far-seeing.) 

128.  N.  dilectus  (Girard).    Body  moderately  elongate,  the  back 
scarcely  elevated,  the  tail  slender ;  head  longer  than  in  related  spe- 
cies, rather  pointed ;  mouth  rather  large,  oblique,  the  jaws  subequal ; 
eye  moderate,  4  in  head.     Olivaceous,  sides  silvery  ;  vertebral  line 
faint.     Head  4£;   depth  4|.     A.  10.     L.  2f.     Ohio  to  Neb.  and 
Ark.     Common.     Much  smaller  than  N".  atherinoides,  with  longer 
head.     (Alburnellus  rubrifrons   and  percobromus   Cope.)      (Lat., 
delightful.) 

129.  N.  atherinoides  (Rafinesque).     Body  comparatively  elon- 
gate, compressed,  the  back  not  elevated  ;  head  short,  blunt ;  mouth 
moderate,  very  oblique,  maxillary  reaching  front  of  eye  ;  eye  large, 

1  The  species  of  this  group  are  extremely  closely  related,  and  in  some  cases 
scarcely  distinguishable. 


62  TELEOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

3J  in  head,  about  equal  to  snout  ;  fins  low;  dorsal  well  behind  ven- 
trals  ;  lateral  line  decurved.  Greenish,  pale  above  ;  sides  silvery  ; 
a  dark  vertebral  line.  Head  4f  ;  depth  5^.  A.  11.  Scales  5-38-3. 
L.  5.  Great  Lakes  to  Tenn.,  abundant  in  lakes  and  rapids  in 
rivers.  Variable.  (Alburnus  rubellus  Agassiz.)  (Minnilw  dine" 
mus  Raf.,  with  shorter  snout  and  smaller  eye,  is  probably  the  same, 
as  also  Alburnellus  jaculus  Cope;  the  latter,  from  Michigan  and 
S.,  is  slenderer,  depth  6  in  length.)  (Like  Atherina.) 

130.  N.  arge  (Cope).     Eye  very  large,  longer  than  snout,  3  in 
head  ;  lateral  line  nearly  straight  ,  head  large,  the  snout  not  very 
blunt  ;  mouth  large,  the  chin  projecting.     Pale,  the  silver  band  on 
sides  bounded  above  by  a  blackish  line  ;  a  dark  vertebral  streak. 
Head  4£;  depth  6.     A.  11.     Scales  5-39-3.    L.  3f    Wabash  Val- 
ley (Evermann)  and  S.  Mich.  ;   slenderer  than  N.  atherinoides, 
with  much  larger  eye,  but  very  likely  a  variety,     (dpyqy,  shining 
white.) 

it.  Fins  all  small,  the  short  V.  not  reaching  vent,  and  barely  to  middle 
of  D. 

131.  N.  micropteryx  (Cope).    Very  slender,  compressed;  head 
rather  pointed  ;  mouth  large,  oblique,  the  jaws  subequal  ;  eye  mod- 
erate, 3-|  in  head;  lateral  line  decurved;  D.  inserted  well  behind 
V.     Pale  olive  ;  sides  bright  silvery,  base  of  C.  dusky.     Head  4^  ; 
depth  5£.     A.  10.     Scales  6-39-2.      L.  2|.     Ozark  region,  E.  to 
E.  N.  C.,  in  mountain  streams.     (p.LKpos,  small;  irrepv^,  fin.) 


57.  ERIC  YMB  A  Cope,     (ept,  an  intensive  particle  ; 
Kvnfo,  cavity.) 

132.  E.  buccata  (Cope).     Body  rather  elongate,   little   com- 
pressed, head  long,  with  broad,  prominent  snout  ;   mouth  small, 
subinferior,  the   lower  jaw   shorter.     Suborbitals   broad,  silvery, 
crossed  by  conspicuous  translucent  or  silvery  mucous  channels,  as 
are  also  the  interopercle  and  lower  jaw;  15  scales  before  D.  ;  lat- 
eral line  straightish  ;  eye  large,  4  in  head.    Olivaceous,  sides  silvery  ; 
sexes  alike.     Head  4;   depth  5.     D.  8.     A.  8.     Scales  5-33-3. 
L.  4.    Mich,  to  Kans.  and  W.  Fla.,  abundant  in  small,  clear  brooks, 
remarkably  distinguished  by  the  structure  of  the  bones  of  the  head. 
(Lat.,  big-jawed.) 

58.  PHENACOBIUS  Cope.     (<#*Va£,  deceptive  ;  £t'oy,  life.) 

a.  Scales  rather  large,  40  to  52. 
b.  Breast  scaly. 

133.  P.  teretulus   (Cope).     Body   slender,   subterete  ;    snout 
thick,  decurved;  mouth  small;  eye  large,  high  up,  3£  in  head. 
Yellowish,  darker  above,  a  plumbeous  lateral  band.     Head  4$. 
depth  4|.     D.  8.     A.  7.     Scales  6-43-5.     L.  3£.     W.  Va.     (Lat., 
terete.) 


CYPRINID^E.  —  XXVL  63 

bb.  Breast  naked. 

134.  P.  mirabilis  (Girard).     Body  rather  slender,  the  caudal 
peduncle  short ;    snout  blunt,  prominent ;    eye  4  in  head.     Pale 
greenish,  a  silvery  lateral  band  and  a  conspicuous  black  spot  at 
base  of  C.     Head  4£;  depth  4J.     A.   7.     Scales  6-50-5;  lateral 
line  varying  from  43  (var.  scopifer  Cope)  to  52.      L.  4.      111.  R. 
to  X.  Texas,  abundant ;  sexes  similar.     (Lat. ,  wonderful.) 

aa.  Scales  small,  about  60  in  lateral  line;  breast  naked. 

135.  P.  uranops   Cope.      Body  very  slender;  tail  long;  head 
long,  flattish  above ;    snout  broad,  blunt ;   mouth  inferior,  larger 
than  in  other  species ;  eye  large,  3£  in  head,  placed  high  and  be- 
hind middle  of  head;   24  scales  before  D.     Head  4f ;  depth  6. 
A.  7.     Scales  7-60-6.     L.  4.     Tenn.  R.     (ovpavos,  sky;  oty,  eye.) 

59.  RHINICHTHYS  Agassiz.     (piv,  snout ;  i%6vs,  fish.) 

a.  Snout  long  and  prominent,  projecting  notably  beyond  the  mouth,  about 
twice  length  of  eye  in  adult. 

136.  R  cataractae  (Cuv.  &  Val.).    LONG-NOSED  DACE.     Body 
elongate,  subterete ;  eye  nearly  median,  5  in  head ;  barbel  evident ; 
P.  enlarged  in  males.     Dusky  olive,  irregularly  mottled;   no  dis- 
tinct lateral  band ;  a  dusky  spot  on  opercle ;  male  with  lips,  cheeks, 
and  lower  fins  crimson  in  spring.    Head  4^-;  depth  5£.    D.  8.    A.  7. 
Scales  14-65-8.     L.  6.     Mass,  to  Va.  and  Montana,  in  clear  moun- 
tain streams.     Larger  than  the  next  and  with  longer  snout.     (Leu- 
ciscus  nasutus   Ayres.)      (Lat.,  of  the  cataract;    first  taken   at 
Niagara.) 

aa.  Snout  moderate,  projecting  little  bej'ond  the  small  mouth;  its  length  1$ 
times  eye. 

137.  R.  atronasus  (Mitchill).      BLACK-NOSED  DACE.     Body 
moderately  elongate;  head  rather  large;   eye  small,  4^-  in  head; 
fins  small ;  barbel  minute,  sometimes  obsolete.    Blackish,  the  scales 
mottled  above ;  a  black  or  brown  lateral  band,  bordered  above  and 
below  by  pale ;  spring  $  with  this  band  and  lower  fins  crimson,  the 
color  changing  to  orange  in  summer.    Head  4 ;  depth  4^.    D.  7.    A. 
7.    Scales  4-63-8.     L.  3.     Maine  to  Iowa  and  Ala.,  very  abundant 
in  all  clear  brooks.     Variable.     (Lat.  ater,  black ;  nasus,  nose.) 

60.  HYBOPSIS  Agassiz.    (Nocomis  Girard ;  CeraticJithys  Baird.) 

(v/3o'y,  gibbous  ;  fyis,  face.) 
a.  Species  of  moderate  or  small  size,  the  mouth  inferior,  horizontal.    Color 

silvery;  preorbital  broad  ;  sexes  more  or  less  alike,     (ffybopsis.) 
b.  Eye  moderate  or  small,  3£  to  5  in  head ;  barbel  very  long  (rarely  dupli- 
cated); lower  lip  rather  thick;  D.  usually  more  or  less  behind  V.; 
small,  slender  species. 
c.  Teeth  4-4. 
d.  Dorsal  fin  without  black  blotch ;  scales  large. 


64  TELEOSTEI.  —  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

e.  Lower  lobe  of  C.  chiefly  black;  upper  lobe  pale;  color  pale,  un- 
spotted. 

138.  H.  gelidus  (Girard).  Very  slender ;  snout  long,  thick,  blunt, 
overhanging  the  rather  large  mouth;  barbel  as  long  as  eye;  eye 
4£  in  head;  fins  all  high;  P.  as  long  as  head;  C.  deeply  forked. 
Head  4 ;  depth  5£.    A.  7.    Lat.  1.  44.    L.  2.    Missouri  River,  abun- 
dant in  the  river  channels  but  not  ascending  brooks ;  a  singular 
little  fish.     (Lat.,  frigid.) 

ee.  Lower  lobe  of  C.  pale,  like  the  upper ;  body  dusted  with  dark 
specks. 

139.  H.  hyostomus  (Gilbert).     Body  and  head  very  slender; 
snout  long,  acute,  projecting  beyond  mouth  for  half  its  length; 
mouth  short,  wide,  inferior  ;  eye  3£  in  head;  barbel  long;  P. large, 
other  fins  small;  13  scales  before  D.     Head  4;  depth  5J.    A. '8. 
Lat.  1.  37.     L.  2^.     Silvery,  dusted  with  dark   specks.     Ind.  to 
Iowa.     (Similar  species  are  H.  cestivalis  Girard,  Ark.  to  Mexico, 
still  more  slender,  with  longer  snout  and  much  smaller  eye,  4  in 
head,  and  H.  tetranemus  Gilbert,  Kansas,  nearly  like  H.  cestwalis, 
but  with  two  barbels  on  each  side.)     (vs,  hog ;  o-rd/za,  mouth.) 

dd.  Dorsal  fin  with  a  large  black  blotch  on  its  last  rays;  scales  small. 

140.  H.  monachus  (Cope).     Body   slender;   head   long  and 
slender ;  eye  4  J  in  head ;  24  scales  before  D.     Olivaceous,  sides 
silvery;  a  black  spot  at  base  of  C. ;  no  lateral  band;  scales  not 
speckled.   Head  4 ;  depth  5 J.   A.  8.   Scales  8-56-4.   L.4.   Tenn.R. 
(Lat.,  solitary.) 

bb.  Eyes  very  large,  2f  to  3  in  head;  barbels  conspicuous;  D.  inserted  more 

or  less  before  V. ;  body  not  conspicuously  speckled. 
/.  Teeth  4-4;  sides  with  dark  blotches. 

141.  H.  dissimilis  (Kirtland).     Body  very  long  and  slender; 
head  long,  the  snout  blunt  at  tip,  projecting  beyond  the   small 
mouth;  eye  2f  in  head;  P.  long;  22  scales  before  D.    Olivaceous, 
with  dusky  lateral  band,  along  which  are  several  large  round  dusky 
spots,  the  most  distinct  at  base  of  C.     Head  4-|;  depth  5^.    D.  8. 
A.  7.   Scales  6-47-5.     L.  5.     Lake  Erie  to  Ky.  and  Iowa.     (Lat, 
unlike.) 

ff.  Teeth,  1,  4-4, 1  or  0. 

g.  Sides  with  a  dark  lateral  band  overlaid  by  silvery. 

142.  H.  amblops  (Rafinesque).     Body  slender,  the  head  large, 
flattish  above ;   eye  longer  than  snout,  3  in  head ;   mouth  small  ; 
snout  bluntly  decurved  ;  1 6  scales  before  D.     Greenish ;  sides  with 
a  blackish  or  plumbeous  band  extending  around  snout,  overlaid  by 
silvery.    Head  4 ;  depth  5.    Scales  5-38-4.    L.  4.    Ohio  Valley  to 
Ala.,  common.     Smaller  than  the  next,  and  somewhat  different  in 
color.     (a/x/3Xus,  blunt ;    oty,  face.) 


CYPRINID^E.  —  XXVI. 

__      •• 
gg.  Sides  bright  silvery,  without  dusky  shade. 

143.  H.  storerianus  (Kirtland).     Body  rather  elongate ;  back 
elevated ;  tail  long.     Head  short,  broad  between  eyes ;  eye  equal 
to  snout,  three  in  head;  preorbital  broad,  conspicuous,  silvery; 
snout  abruptly  decurved,  its  tip  fleshy ;  lateral  line  decurved ;  fins 
high.     Light  olive,  sides  brightly  silvery;   fins  all  pale.     Head 
4J;   depth  4.     D.  8.    A.  8.     Scales  5-42-4.     L.  4  to  8.      Ohio 
to  Neb.  and  Tenn.,  abundant  in  larger  streams.      (Ceratichthys 
lucens  Jordan.)     (To  David  Humphreys  Storer,  author  of  Fishes 
of  Mass.) 

aa.  Species  of  large  size,  little  silvery,  the  mouth  nearly  terminal;  D.  slightly 
behind  V.    (Nocomis  Girard.) 

144.  H.  kentuckiensis  (Rafinesque).    HORNY  HEAD.    RIVER 
CHUB.    JERKER.    Robust;  head  large,  broad  above,  the  snout  long, 
bluntish;  mouth  large,  little  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  shorter;   eye 
small ;    suborbitals  narrow ;   barbel  evident ;   scales  not  crowded 
forwards,  18  before  D.    Bluish  olive,  with  coppery  shades  ;  a  dark 
bar  behind  opercle ;   fins  pale  orange,  unspotted ;  young  with  a 
black  spot  at  base  C.     Adult  males  in  spring  with  a  much  swollen 
crest  and  large  tubercles ;  a  round  crimson  spot  on  each  side  of 
head.     Head  4;  depth  4^.     D.  8.     A  7.     Scales  6-41-4.     Teeth 
4-4  or  1,  4-4,  1.    L.  10.    Penn.  to  Dakota  and  Ala.,  very  abundant 
in  the  rivers,  rarely  in  small  brooks ;  variable.    (Ceratichthys  bigut- 
taius  Kirtland.) 

61.  COUESIUS  Jordan.     (To  Dr.  Elliott  Coues.) 
a.  Scales  small,  about  68  in  the  lateral  line. 

145.  C.   plumbeua    (Agassiz).     Body  rather  elongate;    head 
small;    snout   bluntish;  mouth   rather    small,  terminal;    eye   4   in 
head ;  D.  above  V.     Dusky,  a  plumbeous  lateral  band,  fins  plain. 
Head  5;  depth  5.     D.  8.     A.   7.     Scales  11-68-7.    L.  6.     Teeth 
usually  2,  4-4,  2.     K  N.  Y.  (Mather)  to  L.  Superior,  chiefly  in 
or  near  cold  lakes.    (Lat.,  leaden.) 

aa.  Scales  larger,  about  60  in  the  lateral  line. 

146.  C.  dissimilis  (Girard).     Body  more  robust,  with  lateral 
line  more  decurved.     Mouth  oblique,  subterminal,  resembling  that 
of  Semotilus.   Dusky.    Head  4^ ;  depth  4£.   Lat.  1.  60.   L.  6.    Minn, 
to  Montana. 

62.  PLATYGOBIO  Gill.  '  (v\arvs,  broad ;  Lat.  gobio,  gudgeon.) 

147.  P.  gracilis   (Richardson).     FLAT-HEADED  CHUB.     Body 
elongate;  head  short,  small,  very  broad  and  depressed  above,  the 
interorbital  area  2  in  head;  mouth  large,  oblique ;  eye  small,  6  in 
head;   fins   large;    23  scales  before  D.    Very  pale,  sides  silvery, 


66  TELEOSTEI  :  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

young  with  dusky  lateral  shade.  Head  4J;  depth  4J.  D.  8  A.  S. 
Scales  6-50-5.  L.  12.  Missouri  Basin,  abundant  in  river  chan- 
nels, N.  to  Saskatchewan,  S.  to  Cairo,  111.  (Lat.,  slender.) 

63.  SBMOTILUS  Rafinesque.     (<rj)/*a,   banner;    the  remainder, 
according  to  Rafinesque,  means  "  spotted.") 

a.  Scales  scarcely  crowded  anteriorly,  about  8-45-5;  no  black  spot  at  base 
of  dorsal  in  front. 

148.  S.  bullaris  (Rafinesque).     FALL-FISH.     CHUB.     ROACH. 
D.  inserted  midway  between  nostril  and  base  of  C. ;  barbel  very 
small;  eye  4^  in  head;  22  scales  before  D.     Bluish  above,  sides 
silvery ;  fins  plain.    Head  4 ;  depth  4.    D.  8.   A.  8.   L.  18.    Quebec 
to  Va.,  abundant  E.,  the  largest  of  the  Cyprinidce,  E.  of  the  Rocky 
Mts.    On  the  Pacific  slope  are  species  (Ptycliocheilus,  Mylopharo- 
don,  etc.)  5  to  6  feet  in  length.     "The  chub  is  a  soft  fish;  it  tastes 
like  brown-paper  salted."     (Thoreau.)     (Lat.,  bulla,  bubble.) 

aa.  Scales  small,  crowded  anteriorly,  about  10-54-7;  lat.  1.52  to  65;  a  round- 
ish black  spot  at  base  of  D.  in  front. 

149.  S.  atromaculatus  (Mitchill).     HORNED  DACE.     CREEK 
CHUB.     D.   inserted  midway  between  pupil  and  base  C.;  body 
robust ;  head  large  and  broad ;  barbel  minute,  not  evident  in  the 
young;  mouth  large,  lower  jaw  included ;  eye  small;  30  scales  be- 
fore D.     Dusky,  little  silvery,  a  dark  bar  at  shoulder;  young  with 
dark  lateral  band;   $  more  or  less  red  and  with  coarse  tubercles 
in  spring.     Head  3f;  depth  4.     D.  7.     A.  8.     L.  12,  or  less.     W. 
Mass,  to  Dakota,  Va.  and  La.,  very  abundant,  especially  in  small 
clear  brooks.     Variable.     (Semotilus  corporalis  of  authors,  not  of 
Mitchill.)     (Lat.  ater,  black ;  maculatus,  spotted.) 

64.  PHOXINUS  Atrassiz.     DACE. 


(As  here  understood,  a  very  large  genus,  one  of  the  largest  in 
Ichthyology,  comprising  a  great  number  of  species,  mostly  of 
Europe,  Asia,  and  Western  North  America,  distinguished  from 
Notropis,  in  general  by  the  better  developed  dentition  ;  the  teeth 
2,  4  -  5,  2,  or  2,  5  -  5,  2,  and  by  the  larger  size  of  the  body  ;  the 
scales  being  in  general  smaller  than  in  Notropis.  We  here  unite 
Squalius  (lat.  1.  complete)  with  PJioxinus  (lat.  1.  incomplete). 
When  we  consider  European  species  only,  the  two  genera  appear 
to  be  widely  separated,  but  the  intergradation  is  almost  perfect 
when  American  species  are  taken  into  account.  (Old  name  from 
(frogos,  tapering.) 

a.  Lateral  line  complete  (Squalius  Bonaparte). 

b.  Teeth  without  grinding  surface;  caudal  peduncle  rather  slender;  anal 
basis  short. 


CYPRINID.E.  —  XXVI.  67 

c.  Mouth  very  wide,  the  lower  jaw  much  projecting,  the  maxillary  reach- 
ing to  below  pupil ;  body  elongate,  compressed ;  D.  well  behind  V. ; 
scales  quite  small ;  size  small.  (Clinostomus  Girard.) 

d.  Scales  very  small,  63  to  70  in  the  lateral  line. 

150.  P.   elongatus   (Kirtland).     Body  elongate,   compressed ; 
head  long,  pointed  ;  mouth  larger  than  in  any  other  of  our  Cypri- 
nidce.    Eye  4  in  head ;  lateral  line  decurved.    Dusky  bluish,  mottled 
with  paler  ;  a  broad  black  lateral  band,  the  front  half  of  which  is 
bright  crimson  in  spring  males.     Head  4  ;  depth  5.     A.  9.     Scales 
10-70-5.     L.  4.      Penn.  to  Minn.,   chiefly  northward,   in  clear 
brooks.     (Clinostomus  proriger  Cope.) 

dd.  Scales  larger,  48  to  55  in  the  lateral  line. 

e.  Mouth  very  large,  the  gape  half  head,  the  maxillaries  reaching  to 

opposite  middle  of  orbit. 

151.  P.  es  tor  (Jordan  &  Bray  ton).    Body  elliptical,  compressed ; 
head  very  large ;   eye  4  in  head  ;  lateral  line  decurved  ;    23  scales 
before  D.    Dark  olive,  mottled  with  darker ;  sides  silvery  ;  no  broad 
black  lateral  band ;    males  largely  crimson.     Head  3f ;    depth  4^. 
A.   8.     Scales   8-50-5.     L.   4.      Cumberland  and  Tenn.   Rivers 
(Lat.,  devourer.) 

ee.  Mouth  smaller,  the  maxillaries  not  reaching  to  opposite  middle  of 

e}re. 
/.  Body  deep,  the  depth  in  adult  3§  in  length. 

152.  P.  varidoisulus    (Cuv.  &  Val.).      Head  large;  eye  3£  in 
head  ;  bluish,  some  scales  irregularly  blackish ;  no  black  lateral 
band ;  spring  males  rose-red,  especially  anteriorly.    Head  3f .    A.  8. 
lat.  1.  53.     Va.  to  Ga.,  common.     (Fr.  vandoise,  dace.) 

ff.  Body  rather  slender,  the  depth  in  adult  4}. 

153.  P.  funduloides  (Girard).     Head  and  mouth  smaller  than 
in  any  of  the  preceding  species.     Eye  3  in  head.     Dusky,  a  dark 
lateral  band  with  a  pale  streak  above  it ;    males  red  below  in 
spring.    Head  4J.    A.  8.     Scales  9-48-4.     Penn.  to  N.  C.     (Lat., 
like  Fundulus.) 

cc.  Mouth  moderate,  terminal,  oblique,  the  chin  usually  not  projecting; 
premaxillary  below  level  of  pupil,  the  maxillary  not  reaching 
pupil.     (Tigoma  Girard.) 
g.  Anal  short,  with  about  8  rays. 

154.  P.  margaritus  (Cope).     Body  robust,  little  compressed; 
head  blunt,  thick,  rounded ;  mouth  small,  the  maxillary  not  to  eye ; 
eye  rather  large;   lateral  line  decurved;  dorsal  behind  ventrals. 
Dusky,  sides  plumbeous  silvery,  crimson  in  spring  males.    Head 
4;  depth  4.     A.  8.     Scales  11-58-8.     L.  3.     Susquehanna  R.     A 
pretty  fish,  similar  to  the  typical  species  of  Phoxinus  in  all  respects, 
but  the  lateral  line  is  complete.     (Lat.,  pearly.) 


68  TELEOSTEI:  EVENTOGNATHI.  —  XII. 

aa.  Lateral  line  incomplete.    (Phoscinus.) 

g.  Scales  very  small,  75  to  90  in  the  lateral  line. 

155.  P.  neogaeus  Cope.     Body  robust,  little  compressed;  head 
very  large,  broad,  with  blunt  snout  ;   mouth  moderate,  oblique  ; 
the  chin  projecting,  the  maxillary  beyond  front  of  orbit.     Eye  3^ 
in  head  ;  dorsal  well  behind  ventrals.     Blackish,  sides  plumbeous 
with  a  dusky  lateral  band  ;  lower  parts  crimson  in  spring  males. 
Head  3f  ;  depth  4j.    A.  8.    Scales  18-80-11.    L.  3.    Miss.  Valley, 
rare  ;  the  few  specimens  known,  from  Mich.,  Wis.,  and  Ark.  (Wor, 
new  ;  yea,  world  ;  this  being  a  near  relative  of  the  "  Minnow  "  of 
Europe,  P.  phoxinus  L.). 

gg.  Scales  moderate,  40  to  45  in  the  lateral  line. 

h.  Body  not  very  slender,  the  depth  about  4  in  length. 

156.  P.  flammeus  Jordan  &  Gilbert.     Head  rather  short,  the 
snout  bluntish  ;  mouth  small,  oblique  ;  the  jaws  equal,  the  maxil- 
lary to  front  of  eye  ;  lateral  line  with  pores  on  14  scales  ;  color  of 
preceding  ;  the  males  largely  scarlet  ;    dark  spot  at  base  of  C. 
Head  4.    A.  8.    Scales  7-43-5.    L.  2£.    Tenn.  R.    (Lat,  flaming.) 

hh.  Body  slender,  the  depth  5J  in  length. 

157.  P.  milnerianus  Cope.     Mouth  larger,  the  maxillary  about 
to  pupil.     Color  of  preceding  ;  a  dark  spot  at  base  of  C.     Head  4  ; 
eye  3^  in  head.     A.  8.      L.  2£.     Upper  Missouri  R.     (To  James 
W.  Milner,  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Comm.) 


65.  OFSOFCEODUS  Hay.      (ox^oTroieo),  to  feed  daintily;  68ovs, 

tooth.) 

158.  O.  emiliae  Hay.    Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  short, 
the   snout  blunt   and  rounded  ;   mouth  very  small,  terminal,  ob- 
lique, smaller  than  in   any  of   our  Cyprinidce  ;   jaws  equal;   eye 
very  large,  3  in  head;  D.  behind  V.;  P.  very  small  ;  breast  naked  ; 
16   scales  before  D.  ;  lateral  line  usually  incomplete.     Yellowish, 
sides  silvery  ;  a  dark  lateral  stripe  ;  D.  with  a  black  blotch  on  its 
last  rays.     Head  4f;  depth  4|.     D.  9.     A.  8.     Scales  5-40-3.     L. 
2J.     S.  Ind.  to  Ark.  and  Miss.  ;  not  common.     (Tryclierodon  mega- 
lops  Forbes.)     (To  Mrs.  Emily  Hay.) 

66.  NOTEMIGONUS  Rafinesque. 
(I/WTO?,   back  ;    ^/u,   half  ;    yS>vos,  angle.) 

159.  N.  chrysoleucus  (Mitchill).     GOLDEN  SHINER.    BREAM. 
Body  more  or  less  elongate,  much  compressed  ;  head  short,  low, 
compressed  ;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the  maxillary  not  to  eye  ;  eye 
moderate,  or  large,  3  to  4  in  head  ;  lateral  line  much  decurved. 
Greenish  above,  sides  silvery  with  golden   reflections  ;   fins   yel- 
lowish.    Sexes  similar.     Head  4£;  depth  about  3.     D.  8.     A.  13 


HIODONTIDJE.  —  XXVII.  69 

(12  to  14).     Scales  10-51-3.    L.  12.    Maine  to  Dakota  and  La., 
everywhere  abundant  in  sluggish  or  weedy  waters. 

S.  E.  (N.  C.  to  Ala.)  occurs  var.  bosci  (Cuv.  &  Val.)  with  A. 
longer,  about  16  ;  the  scales  larger,  8-43-2,  and  the  lower  fins  scar- 
let in  males.  The  two  forms  intergrade  and  both  are  very  varia- 
ble. (Cyprinus  americanus  L.,  1766,  not  of  1758)  (xpvvos,  gold; 
,  white.) 


ORDER  XIII.    ISOSPONDYL.I.     (THE  SALMON,  HERRING, 

ETC.) 

This  order  contains  a  great  variety  of  soft-rayed  fishes,  which 
agree  in  lacking  the  modified  vertebras  and  the  falciform  pharyn- 
geals  of  the  preceding  order,  and  in  having  a  more  complex  struc- 
ture of  the  shoulder-girdle  than  the  HaplomL  There  are  20  or  25 
families,  most  of  them  marine  ;  some  in  the  deep  seas,  (taop,  equal  ; 
o-irovdvXos,  vertebra). 

FAMILY  XXVIL    HIODONTID^E.     (THE  MOON-EYES.) 

Body  oblong,  much  compressed,  covered  with  large,  silvery  cy- 
cloid scales  ;  head  naked  ;  mouth  terminal,  oblique  ;  margin  of 
upper  jaw  formed  by  intermaxillaries  mesially  and  by  maxillaries 
laterally  ;  maxillaries  entire  ;  no  barbels  ;  no  adipose  fin  ;  lateral 
line  distinct  ;  abdomen  compressed,  not  serrated  ;  moderate  sized 
teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  sphenoid,  hyoid,  pterygoid,  and  palatine 
bones  ;  tongue  with  sharp  canines  ;  gill  rakers  few,  short,  thick  ; 
eye  very  large  ;  gill  openings  wide  ;  one  pyloric  appendage  ;  air- 
bladder  simple  ;  no  oviducts.  One  genus,  with  three  species,  inhab- 
iting our  Western  Streams  and  the  Great  Lakes,  handsome  fishes, 
of  little  value  as  food. 


67.  HIODON  Le  Sueur.     (vo«8fc,  hyoid  (bone)  ;  oSo»i/,  tooth.) 

a.  Belly  strongly  carinate,  both  before  and  behind  V.  ;  D.  very  small,  of  nine 
developed  rays. 

160.  H.   alosoides    (Rafinesque).      Body   deep,   closely  com- 
pressed ;  snout  blunter  than  in  other  species  ;  eye  moderate,  3^  in 
head  ;  P.  short,  nearly  as  long  as  head,  about  reaching  V.  ;  longest 
dorsal  ray  about  half  longer  than  base  of  fin  ;   sides  with  golden 
lustre.     Head  4£;  depth  3£.    D.  9.    A.  32.    Scales  6-56-9.  L.  12. 
Ohio  Valley  to  Saskatchewan  R.,  common  N.     (Lat.,  alosa,  shad  ; 
eiSos,  form.) 

aa.  Belly  scarcely  carinate  before  V.;  dorsal  rays  (developed)  12. 
b.  Belly  carinate  between  V.  and  A. 

161.  H.    tergisus    Le    Sueur.      MOON-EYE.      SILVER    BASS. 
TOOTHED  HERRING.     Snout  rounded,  shorter  than  the  large  eye, 
which  is  3|  in  head.     Olivaceous,  sides  brilliantly  silvery.     Head 


70  TELEOSTEI:  ISOSPONDYLI.  —  XIII. 

4£;  depth  3.  D.  12.  A.  28.  Scales  5-56-7.  L.  15.  Great 
Lakes  and  Mississippi  Valley,  abundant  ;  one  of  our  most  beautiful 
fresh-water  fishes.  (Lat,  polished.) 

bb.  Belly  nowhere  carinate. 

162.  H.  selenops  Jordan  &  Bean.  Body  elongate,  less  com- 
pressed; eye  very  large,  2^  in  head.  Head  4^  ;  depth  4.  D.  12 
A.  27.  Cumberland  R.  to  Ala.  (o-fX^,  moon  ;  oty,  eye.) 


FAMILY  XXVIII.    ALBULID^S.    (THE  LADY-FISHES.) 

Body  elongate,  little  compressed,  covered  with  small,  silvery 
scales  ;  head  naked  ;  snout  conic,  pig-like,  overhanging  the  small, 
inferior  mouth  ;  maxillary  short,  with  supplemental  bone  ;  preorbi- 
tal  very  broad  ;  sides  of  upper  jaw  formed  by  maxillaries  ;  eye 
large,  with  an  adipose  eyelid;  gill  rakers  tubercle-like;  preopercle 
with  membranous  edge;  villiform  teeth  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  pala- 
tines ;  coarse  blunt  teeth  on  tongue  and  roof  of  mouth  ;  lateral  line 
present  ;  belly  flattish,  not  carinate  ;  D.  moderate,  inserted  before 
V.  ;  A.  very  small  ;  no  adipose  fin  ;  C.  forked.  One  species,  in 
most  warm  seas. 

68.  ALBULA  (Gronow)  Bloch  &  Schneider.     (Lat.,  white.) 

163.  A.  vulpes  (L.).      LADY-FISH.     BONE-FISH.      MACABI. 
A  band  of  elongate  scales  along  middle  of  back;  brilliantly  silvery. 
Head  3f  ;  depth  4.    D.  15.     A.  8.     Scales  9-71-7.     L.  30.    Warm 
seas,  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Lat.,  fox.) 

FAMILY  XXIX.    ELOPID^J.     (THE  TARPUMS.) 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less  compressed,  covered  with  silvery, 
cycloid  scales  ;  mouth  large,  terminal,  the  lower  jaw  prominent  ; 
maxillary  long,  of  three  pieces,  forming  side  of  upper  jaw  ;  an  elon- 
gate bony  plate  between  branches  of  lower  jaw  (as  in  Amid)  ;  bones 
of  mouth  almost  all  with  villiform  teeth  ;  eye  large,  with  an  adipose 
eyelid  ;  gill  rakers  long  and  slender  ;  belly  not  compressed,  covered 
with  ordinary  scales  ;  D.  over  or  behind  V.  ;  C.  forked  ;  no  adipose 
fin.  Genera  2,  species  4  or  5,  in  warm  seas. 

a.  Body  elongate,  with  small  scales;  A.  smaller  than  D.;  pseudobranchiae 
present.     (Elopince.)       .............    ELOPS,  69. 

aa.  Body  oblong,  compressed,  with  very  large  scales  ;  no  pseudobranehife  ; 
last  ray  of  D.  much  produced.    (Afegalopince.).     .    .    MEGALOPS,  70. 

69.  ELOPS  Linnaeus,     (e  Xo\^,  name  of  some  sea-fish.) 

164.  E.  saurus  L.    TENPOUNDER.    Silvery,  darker  above;  gular 
plate  about  three  times  as  long  as  broad  ;  eye  large  ;  tail  very  long; 
C.  deeply  forked.     Head  4£;   depth  54-     D.  20.     A.  13.     Scales 
12-120-13.     L.  36.     Warm  seas,  N.  to  Cape  Cod;  remarkable  for 


CLUPEID.E.  —  XXX.  71 

the  development  of  membranous  sheaths  at  bases  of  fins  and  else- 
where,    (trawpop,  name  of  some  sea-fish.) 

70.  MEGALOPS  Lacepede.     (/xe'yaAo^,  large  eye.) 

165.  M.  atlanticus  Cuv.  &  Val.    TARPUM.    TARPON.    GRANDE 
£CAILLE.     SILVER-FISH.     SABALO.     SAVANILLA.       Brilliantly 
silvery.     Mouth  large,  its  cleft  oblique,  extending  beyond  the  very 
large  eye;  lower  jaw  very  prominent;  D.  inserted  behind  V.;  dor- 
sal filament  as  long  as  head.     Head  4  ;  depth  4.    D.  12.     A.  20. 
Lat.  1.  42.     L.  6  feet.     West  Indies  and  Gulf  Coast,  occasional  N". 
to  Cape  Cod ;  remarkable  for  its  enormous  scales,  sometimes  three 
inches  across. 

FAMILY  XXX.    CLUPEID^E.    (THE  HERRINGS.) 

Body  oblong,  covered  with  cycloid  scales ;  head  naked ;  side  of 
upper  jaw  formed  by  maxillaries ;  maxillaries  composed  of  2  or  3 
pieces  ;  teeth  feeble  or  wanting  ;  dorsal  moderate ;  anal  often  very 
long  ;  caudal  forked  ;  no  lateral  line  ;  no  gular  plate  ;  branchios- 
tegals  6  to  15  ;  the  tips  of  the  larger  ones  abruptly  truncate;  pseu- 
dobranchise  present ;  gill  rakers  long  and  slender ;  gill  openings 
wide. 

Genera  about  17;  species  120;  found  in  most  seas,  many  spe- 
cies entering  fresh  water  to  spawn,  a  few  remaining  permanently. 
Many  are  highly  valued  as  food  fishes.  It  is  probable  that  the 
Clupeidce  are  more  numerous  in  individuals  than  any  other  family 
of  fishes. 

a.  Maxillary  large,  of  about  three  pieces  ;  mouth  terminal,  the  jaw  scarcely 

shorter;  carnivorous  fishes,  with  simple  not  muscular  stomach. 
b.  Belly  rounded,  with  ordinary  scales;  the  body  subterete,  supplemental 
bones  of  maxillary  very  narrow.     (Dussumieriin<z.) 

c.  V.  small,  behind  D. ;  teeth  small,  persistent.    .    .     .    ETRUMEUS,  71. 
bb.  Belly  compressed  to  an  edge  and  more  or  less  serrated  ;  body  com- 
pressed ;  bones  of  maxillary  broad.     (Clupeince.) 

d.  Scales  with  their  posterior  edges  entire  and  rounded. 

e.  Last  ray  of  D.  not  produced  ;  scales  loosely  attached  ;  vertebra  47 

to  56' .    .     .    CLUPEA,  72. 

ee.  Last  ray  of  D.  produced  in  a  long  filament ;  scales  rather  firm ; 

vertebrae  48 OPISTHONEMA,  73. 

ddt  Scales  with  their  posterior  margins  vertical,  and  pectinate  or  fluted ; 

head  very  large  ;  D.  small,  posterior BREVOORTIA,  74. 

aa.  Maxillary  short  and  narrow,  with  a  single  supplemental  bone  ;  mouth 
small,  inferior,  the  lower  jaw  much  shorter;  mud-eating  fishes,  with  the 
stomach  muscular,  like  the  gizzard  of  a  fowl.     (Durusomince.) 
f.  Last  ray  of  D.  produced  in  a  long  filament DOKOSOMA,  75. 

71.  ETRUMEUS  Bleeker.     (From  the  Japanese  name.) 

166.  E.  sadina  (Mitchill).     ROUND  HERRING.    Mouth  small, 
reaching  front  of  orbit ;  eye  large ;  fins  all  very   small.     Bluish, 


72  TELEOSTEI:  ISOSPONDYLI.  —  XIII. 

sides  silvery.     Head  4  ;  depth  6.     D.  18  ;  A.  13.     L.  5.     N.  Y.  to 
Fla.,  scarce.     (Alosa  teres  Dekay.)     (Corruption  of  sardine.) 

72.  CLUPEA  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  herring.) 

o.  Vomer  with  an  ovate  patch  of  minute  teeth;   serratures  on  belly  very 
weak. 

167.  C.  harengus   L.     COMMON    HERRING.     Body  elongate, 
the  scales  deciduous;  cheeks  longer  than  high;  upper  jaw  scarcely 
emarginate ;  gill  rakers  X  -j-  40  ;  D.  inserted  before  V. ;  lower  fins 
small ;    peritoneum  dusky.      Blue,   silvery  on   sides.      Head  4^ ; 
depth  4£.     D.  18.    A.  17.     Lat.  1.  57.     Scutes,  28  -f  13.     L.  12. 
N.  Atlantic,  everywhere,  S.  to  Cape  Cod ;  spawns  in  the  sea.    (.Z£w.) 
(Low  Latin,  herring.) 

aa.  Vomer  without  teeth  ;  ventral  serratures  very  strong;  upper  jaw  emar- 
ginate. 

b.  Cheeks  notably  longer  than  deep,  the  preopercle  produced  forward 
below  ;  body  not  very  deep ;  depth  3£  or  more  in  length.  (Pomolobus 
Rafinesque.) 

c.  Teeth  in  jaws  all  disappearing  with  age,  a  small  patch  sometimes  re- 
maining on  tongue. 
d.  Peritoneum  pale. 

168.  C.mediocris  Mitchill.     TAILOR  HERRING.     FALL  HER- 
RING.    MATTOWACCA.     Head  rather  long,  the  profile  straight  and 
not  very  steep  ;  form  more  elliptical  than  in  the  next  and  less 
heavy  forwards ;  opercles  less  emarginate  below  ;  fins  low.     Bluish 
above  ;  sides  with  faint  longitudinal  streaks.     Head  4  ;  depth  3|. 
D.  15.    A.  21.    Lat.  1.  50.    Ventral  scutes,  20  -f-  16.     Cape  Cod  to 
Fla.,  chiefly  S. 

169.  C.   pseudoharengus   Wilson.     ALEWIFE.     GASPEREAU. 
BRANCH  HERRING.    WALL-EYED  HERRING.     Body  deep,  heavy 
forward ;  head  short,  nearfy  as  deep  as  long  ;  eye  large,  3^  in  head ; 
gill  rakers  long,  about  X  -j-  35  ;  first  ray  of  D.  about  equal  to  base 
of  fin;  lower  lobe  of  C.  longer;  fins  rather  high.     Bluish,   sides 
silvery,  with  faint  dark  streaks  along  rows  of  scales ;  a  round  dark 
spot  at  shoulder.    Head  4f ;  depth  3£.     D.  16.     A.  19.     Lat.  1.  50. 
Scutes  21 -j- 14.    L.  15.     Newfoundland  to  S.  C.,  abundant,  entering 
streams  to  spawn  ;  landlocked  in  lakes  of  W.  N.  Y.     (Clupea  ver- 
nalis  Mitchill,  1815,  but  according  to  Dr.  Gill,  the  paper  of  Alex- 
ander Wilson  was  published  before  1814.     See  McDonald,  Nat. 
Hist.  Aquat.  Anim.  580,  594.)     tycvdos,  false;  herring.) 

dd.  Peritoneum  black. 

170.  C.    aestivalis    Mitchill.      GLUT-HERRING.      BLUE-BACK. 
BLACK-BELLY.     SUMMER  HERRING.    Very  close  to  the  preced- 
ing, the  body  more  elongate,  the  fins  lower,  and  the  eyes  smaller, 
the  back  darker.     First  ray  of  dorsal  not  equal  to  base  of  fin. 


CLUPEID^E.  —  XXX. 

Head  5  ;  depth  3^.  With  C.  pseudoharengus,  but  running  later, 
less  abundant  and  much  less  valuable  as  a  food-fish.  (Lat.,  belong- 
ing to  summer.) 

cc.  Teeth  on  jaws  ;  usually  persistent  at  tip  of  both  jaws  ;  peritoneum 
pale. 

171.  C.  chrysochloris  Rafinesque.     SKIP-JACK.     Body  ellipti- 
cal ;   head   slender,  rather   pointed;   lower  jaw   strongly  project- 
ing;  maxillary  reaching  posterior  part  of  eye;   eye  large,  4^  in 
head  ;  fins  moderate  ;  gill  rakers  not  numerous,  rather  stout,  about 
X  -j-  23  ;  opercles  striate.     Bright  blue,  sides  with  golden  reflec- 
tions. HeadSf;  depth  3f.   D.I  6.  A.  18.   Lat.  1.52.  Scutes  20  -f  13. 
L.  18.     Miss.  Valley,  etc.,  abundant  and  resident  in  larger  streams, 
introduced  into  Great  Lakes.     Also  in  Gulf  of  Mexico.     A  hand- 
some but  lean  and  poor  fish  in  the  rivers,  becoming  excessively  fat 
in  salt  water,     (xpvtros,  golden;  ^Xeopos,  green.) 

bb.  Cheeks  little  if  at  all  deeper  than  long,  the  preopercle  scarcely  pro- 
longed forward  below;  body  deep  ;  depth  of  body  2|  to  3;  teeth  few 
or  none.  (Alosa  Cuvier.) 

172.  C.    sapidissima    Wilson.     SHAD.     Body    rather    deep; 
mouth  large,  the  jaws  subequal  ;  gill  rakers  very  long  and  slender, 
X  -{-  40  to  60;  fins  low.     D.  nearer  snout  than  C.     Bluish,  sides 
more  or  less  silvery  ;  usually  a  dark  blotch  behind  opercle,  and 
often  several  in  a  row  behind  this  ;  peritoneum  white.     Head  4^  ; 
depth  about  3.     D.  15.    A.  21.    Lat.  1.  60.    Scutes  21  -+-  16.    L.  30. 
Atlantic  coast  from  the  Miramachi  to  the   Alabama,  ascending 
rivers  to  spawn  ;  one  of  the  best  of  food-fish.     Introduced  in  Ohio 
R.  etc.     (Superlative  of  Lat.,  sapidus,  good  to  eat.) 


73.  OPISTHONEMA  Gill.     (oTnaOe  ,  behind  ;  vrjfjia,  thread.) 

173.  O.    oglinum  (Le  Sueur).      THREAD   HERRING.     Body 
compressed;  belly  strongly  serrate;  jaws  toothless  ;  dorsal  filament 
about  as  long  as  head.    Bluish,  silvery  below;  a  bluish  shoulder  spot; 
dark  streaks  along  scales  of  back.     Head  4  ;  depth  3J.    D.  19.    A. 
24.     Lat.  1.  50.     Scutes  17-f-ll.     L.  12.     West  Indies,  N.  to  Cape 
Cod. 

74.  BREVOORTIA  Gill.      (To  James  Carson  Brevoort,  late  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.) 

174.  B.   tyrannus    (Latrobe).     MENHADEN.     MOSSBUNKER. 
BUG-FISH.    FAT-BACK.    Body  compressed,  deep,  heavy  anteriorly; 
no  teeth  ;  gill    rakers  very  long  and  slender;    scales  very  closely 
imbricated,  irregularly  arranged;  fins  small.     Bluish,  sides  silvery 
or  brassy;  fins  yellowish  ;  a  dark  scapular  blotch,  behind  which  are 
usually  smaller  spots.     Head  31;  depth  3.     D.  19.    A.  19.     Lat.  1. 
60  to  80.    Scutes  20+12.    L.  20.    Cape  Cod  to  Florida;  very  abun- 


74  TELEOSTEl:  ISOSPONDYLI.  —  XIII. 

dant,  spawning  in  sea  ;  used  for  oil  and  manure.  (A  parasitic 
crustacean,  Oniscus  prcegustator  Latrobe,  is  found  in  the  mouth  of 
this  fish.  The  names  of  both  species  refer  to  this  fact ;  the  ancient 
Roman  Emperors  (tyranni)  having  had  their  tasters  (prcegusta- 

tores}  to  try  their  food  before  them,  to  prevent  poisoning.) 

/ 

75.  DOROSOMA  Rafinesque.     (Sopo'y,  lance  ;  o-co/ia,  body.) 

175.  D.  cepedianum  (Le  Sueur).  GIZZARD  SHAD.  HICKORY 
SHAD.  MUD  SHAD.  WHITE-EYED  SHAD.  HAIRY-BACK.  Body 
deep,  compressed ;  the  scales  thin,  deciduous ;  head  small ;  snout 
short,  blunt ;  mandible  enlarged  at  base  ;  gill  rakers  very  slender, 
not  very  long  ;  an  adipose  eyelid;  D.  about  median,  its  filament 
about  as  long  as  head  ;  C.  widely  forked,  its  lower  lobes  longer  ; 
belly  sharply  serrate.  Bluish,  sides  silvery;  young  with  a  round 
dark  shoulder  spot.  Head  4£;  depth  2^-  (2  to  3);  eye  4^  in  head. 
D.  12.  A.  31.  Lat.  1.  56.  Scutes  17-f-l  2.  L.  15.  Cape  Cod  to 
Mexico ;  abundant  S.  entering  all  rivers  ;  permanently  resident 
throughout  the  Miss.  Valley.  A  handsome,  mud-loving  fish,  nearly 
worthless  as  food.  (To  Bernard  Germain  Etienne,  Conite  de  La 
Cepede,  afterwards  "  Citoyen  Lacepede.") 

FAMILY  XXXI.     STOLEPHORHXE.     (THE  ANCHOVIES.) 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  with  thin,  deciduous  scales  ;  mouth 
very  large;  the  pointed,  pig-like  snout,  usually  extending  beyond 
it ;  maxillary  very  long  and  slender,  of  about  3  pieces,  extending 
backward  far  beyond  the  eye;  premaxillaries  small;  teeth  usually 
very  small;  eye  large,  well  forward;  gill  rakers  long  and  slender. 
B.  7  to  14;  no  lateral  line;  belly  rounded,  or  weakly  serrate;  no 
adipose  fin  ;  C.  forked.  Small  fishes  swimming  in  large  schools, 
abundant  in  all  warm  seas.  Genera  9,  species  about  65,  most  of 
them  belonging  to  Stolephorus. 

a.  Gill  membranes  scarcely  connected ;  gill  openings  very  wide;  no  pectoral 
filaments;  A.  moderate,  beginning  behind  D.;  lower  jaw  included;  max- 
illary not  extending  beyond  gill  openings;  teeth  very  small  or  wanting. 

STOLEPHOKUS,  76. 

76.  STOLEPHORUS  Lacepede.     (Engraulis  Cuvier.)     (oroXij, 
a  stole ;  0opds,  bearing,  in  allusion  to  the  silvery  band.) 

a.  Body  compressed,  moderately  elongate,  the  depth  more  than  one-fifth  the 

length;  insertion  of  D.  nearer  C.  than  tip  of  snout. 
6.  Anal  long,  its  rays  about  26,  its  base  3|  in  body. 

176.  S.  mitchilli  (Cuv.  &  Val.).  Snout  rather  blunt,  little  pro- 
jecting; body  much  compressed;  both  jaws  with  teeth  ;  eye  very 
large.  Pale,  a  narrow,  diffuse,  silvery  lateral  band,  little  broader 
than  pupil.  Head  3|;  depth  4.  D.  14.  A.  26.  Lat.  1.  37.  L.  2£. 


SYNODONTID.E.  —  XXXIL  75 

Cape  Cod  to  Texas,  common  S.     (To  Prof.  Samuel  Latham  Mitch- 
ill,  of  New  York,  an  early  ichthyologist.) 
bb.  Anal  fin  moderate,  its  rays  about  20,  its  base  4f  in  body. 

177.  S.  browni  (Gmelin).     Snout  pointed,  considerably  pro- 
jecting ;  belly  somewhat  serrated ;  eye  3^  in  head ;  teeth  in  both 
jaws.     Translucent,  silvery  band  ;  sharply  defined,  about  as  broad 
as  eye.    Head  3f;  depth  4f.    D.  15.    A.  20.    Lat.  1.  40.    L.  6.    Cape 
Cod  to  Brazil,  exceedingly  abundant   S.     (To  Mr.  P.  Browne, 
author  of  Nat.  Hist,  of  Jamaica,  in  1756.) 

aa.  Body  elongate,  less  compressed,  the  depth  less  than  one-fifth  the  length ; 
insertion  of  D.  midway  between  snout  and  C. 

178.  S.  argyrophanus  (Cuv.  &  Val.).     Tail  long  and  slender; 
snout  pointed,  projecting;  belly  not  serrated ;  eye  4  in  head;  teeth 
in  jaws  present,  feeble ;  anal  short,  its  base  5£  in  body  ;  silvery 
lateral  band  broad,  diffuse,  broader  than  eye.     Head  3^  ;  depth  6. 
D.  14.     A.  19.     L.  4.     Wood's  Holl,  Mass.,  and  S.     (S.  eurystole 
Swain  &  Meek.)     (apyvpos,  silver  ;  <paiva>,  to  show.) 

FAMILY  XXXIL   SYNODONTID^J.   (THE  LIZARD-FISHES.) 

Body  elongate,  subterete,  covered  with  cycloid  scales;  head  de- 
pressed ;  mouth  very  wide,  its  margin  formed  by  the  slender  pre- 
maxillaries ;  the  maxillaries  closely  joined  to  them  ;  teeth  usually 
strong,  cardiform,  the  large  ones  often  depressible  ;  no  barbels  ; 
sides  of  head  usually  scaly ;  adipose  fin  usually  present ;  D.  short, 
median;  C.  forked.  Air-bladder  small  or  wanting ;  skeleton  weakly 
ossified;  no  phosphorescent  spots.  Ovaries  with  an  oviduct. 
Genera  6  or  8 ;  species  about  25,  mostly  of  deep  waters  in  warm 
regions.  (More  or  less  related  to  this  family  are  several  others  : 
Stomiatidce,  Scopelidce,  Cliauliodontidce,  etc.,  found  in  the  deep 
waters  off  our  coasts.  Most  of  these  deep-sea  forms  are  provided 
with  phosphorescent  spots.  A  very  full  account  of  them  has  been 
lately  published  by  Dr.  Gunther,  —  Deep-sea  Fishes  of  the  Chal- 
lenger Exped.) 

a.  Teeth  not  barbed ;  maxillary  not  dilated  behind ;  teeth  on  palatines  in  a 
single  band  on  each  side ;  shore-fishes SYNODUS,  77. 

77.  SYNODUS  (Gronow)  Bloch  &  Schneider. 
(o-wodovs,  ancient  name  of  some  fish). 

179.  S.  fcetens  (L.).  LIZARD-FISH.  SNAKE-FISH.  Dorsal 
slightly  higher  than  long;  snout  longer  than  broad;  lower  jaw  in- 
cluded ;  scales  of  cheeks  in  7  rows  ;  ventrals  2|-  in  head.  Olivaceous, 
back  mottled  ;  top  of  head  vermiculated  ;  V.  and  mouth  yellow. 
Head  4^  ;  depth  6  or  7.  D.  11.  A.  11.  Scales  4-64-6.  L.  12. 
Cape  Cod  to  Fla.,  on  sandy  coasts.  (Lat.,  ill-scented.) 


76  TELEOSTEI  :   ISOSPONDYLI.  —  XIII. 

FAMILY  XXXIII.    ARGENTINIDuE.    (THE  SMELTS.) 

The  smelts  may  be  looked  upon  as  reduced  Salmonidce,  the  only 
important  difference  being  in  the  form  of  the  alimentary  canal. 
The  stomach  is  a  blind  sac,  the  oesophagus  and  the  pylorus  opening 
close  together,  and  the  pyloric  coeca  are  very  few  or  wanting, 
Genera  7  or  8,  species  about  20,  chiefly  small  fishes  of  the  North- 
ern Seas,  some  of  them  descending  to  considerable  depths.  All  are 
silvery  and  none  have  phosphorescent  spots. 

a.  Mouth  large;  V.  before  middle  of  D. 

b.  Scales  very  small,  some  of  them  modified  in  males;  teeth  feeble;  P. 

large,  of  16  to  20  rays,  adipose  fin  with  long  base.     .    MALLOTUS,  78. 

bb.  Scales  moderate,  all  alike ;  teeth  stronger,  those  on  tongue  enlarged  ; 

P.  moderate,  of  about  12  rays ;  adipose  fin  short.   .     .    OSMERUS,  79. 

78.  MALLOTUS  Cuvier.     (jzaXXwTor,  villous). 

180.  M.  villosus   (Miiller).      CAPELIN.      ICE-FISH.      Dusky, 
sides  grayish.     Old  males  with  scales  above  lateral  line  and  on 
side  of  belly,  elongate,  closely  imbricate,  forming  villous  bands. 
Head  4^;  depth  6.     D.  12.     A.  18.     Lat.  1.  150.     L.  12.     Arctic, 
S.  to  Maine. 

79.  OSMERUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus,     (oo-pypos,  odorous.) 
a.  Vomer  with  2  to  4  fang-like  teeth ;  lat.  1.  about  68. 

181.  O.  mordax  (Mitchill).     SMELT.    FROST-FISH.    Greenish, 
sides  with  a  silvery  band  ;  back  with  dark  points ;  teeth  strong, 
gill  rakers  shortish,  f  eye.    Head  4;  depth  6*.    D.  10.     A.  15. 
Lat.  1.  68.    L.  12.     Nova  Scotia  to  Va.,  entering  rivers,  sometimes 
land-locked.    (Lat.,  biting.) 

FAMILY  XXXIV.    SALMONID^JE.1    (THE  SALMON.) 

Body  oblong,  covered  with  cycloid  scales;  head  naked;  mouth 
terminal  or  subinferior,  of  varying  size  ;  teeth  various  ;  maxillary 
with  supplemental  bone,  forming  side  of  upper  jaw  ;  pseudobran- 
chise  present ;  no  barbels;  D.  median  ;  an  adipose  fin  ;  C.  forked  ; 
V.  median ;  lateral  line  present ;  belly  not  compressed  ;  vertebrae 
about  60.  Stomach  siphonal,  with  15  to  200  pyloric  coaca.  Eggs 
large ;  no  oviduct.  Genera  8  ;  species  about  80  ;  peculiar  to  the 
northern  regions,  most  of  them  in  fresh  waters,  the  larger  species 
ascending  rivers  to  spawn.  In  beauty,  activity,  gaminess,  quality 
as  food,  and  even  in  size  of  individuals,  different  members  of  this 
group  stand  easily  with  the  first  among  fishes. 

a.  Jaws  toothless  or  nearly  so;  scales  large;  A.  rather  elongate  (10  to  12 
rays) ;  maxillary  short  and  broad COREGONUS,  80. 

1  For  a  detailed  account  of  the  fishes  of  this  family  see  Jordan,  Science  Sketches, 
p.  35. 


SALMONID.E.  —  XXXIV. 


aa.  Jaws  with  distinct  teeth  ;  scales  smaller. 
b.  Dorsal  very  long  and  high,  of  about  20  rays  ;  scales  medium  ;  tongue 

toothless." "...    THYMAIXUS,  81. 

bb.  Dorsal  moderate,  its  rays  9  to  15;  tongue  with  teeth;  teeth  strong;  A. 

short,  of  9  to  11  developed  rays. 

c.  Vomer  flat,  its  toothed  surface  plane,  the  teeth  on  its'  shaft  in  one  or 
two  rows,  sometimes  deciduous  ;  species  black-spotted,  with  con- 
spicuous scales SALMO,  82. 

cc.  Vomer  boat-shaped,  the  shaft  strongly  depressed,  without  teeth  ; 
scales  very  small,  more  or  less  imbedded;  species  with  red  or  gray 
spots. SALVELJNUS,  83. 

80.  COREGONUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.    WHITE-FISHES. 

(This  genus  contains  about  forty  species,  lake-fishes  of  northern 
regions,  usually  spawning  in  shallow  waters  or  in  brooks  in  late 
fall  or  winter.  All  are  excellent  food-fishes,  and  ah*  are  very  varia- 
ble.) (The  old  name;  of  uncertain  origin.) 

o.  Lower  jaw  included  ;  premaxillaries  broad,  placed  more  or  less  vertically, 
or  the  lower  edge  turned  inward  ;  the  cleft  of  the  mouth  less  than  one- 
third  the  head. 

b.  Gill  rakers  short,  thickish,  about  X  +  16;  preorbital  broad,  wider  than 
pupil ;  maxillary  short,  broad,  not  reaching  to  eye ;  the  supplemental 
bone  narrow ly  elliptical;  supraorbital  broad  ;  mouth  very  small. 
(Prosopium  Milner.) 

182.  C.   quadrilateralis    Richardson.     ROUND-FISH.     PILOT- 
FISH.     SHAD-WAITER.     MENOMONEE   WHITE-FISH.     Body   sub- 
terete,  the  back  broad ;  maxillary  5£  in  head  ;  head  long,  the  snout 
compressed  and  bluntly  pointed  ;    preorbital   wider  than  pupil. 
Dark  bluish,  sides  paler.     Head  5  ;  depth  4|.     D.   11.     A.    10. 
Scales  9-85-8.     N.  H.  to  L.  Superior,  Alaska,  and  N.     Through- 
out the  Rocky  Mountains  is  found  a  closely  related  species,  C.  wil- 
liamsoni  Girard,  with  shorter  snout  and  longer  maxillary.     (Lat., 
4-sided). 

bb.  Gill  rakers  numerous,  long  and  slender,  X  +  20  to  25 ;  preorbital  long 
and  narrow;  maxillary  rather  long,  the  supplemental  bone  ovate. 
(Coregonus.) 

c.  Tongue  toothless;  body  robust,  elevated  at  the  shoulders  in  the  adult; 
the  head  very  small,  especially  in  old  examples. 

183.  C.    clupeiformis    (Mitchill).      COMMON    WHITE-FISH. 

Snout  bluntish,  obliquely  truncate;  preorbital  not  half  pupil;  max- 
illary past  front  of  orbit,  4  in  head ;  eye  large ;  gill  rakers  f  eye. 
Color  pale,  scarcely  silvery.  Head  5  to  6;  depth  2£  to  4.  D.  11. 
A.  11.  Scales  8-74-9.  L.  30.  Great  Lakes  and  N. ;  by  far  the 
most  valuable  of  the  American  white  fishes.  Very  variable ;  feeds 
on  minute  organisms.  (Clupea,  herring  ;  forma,  shape.) 

cc.  Tongue  with  about  3  series  of  small  teeth ;  body  rather  elongate ;  the 
back  scarcely  elevated. 


78  TELEOSTEI:  ISOSPONDYLI.  —  XIII. 

184.  C.  labradoricus  Richardson.  SAULT  WHITE-FISH. 
MUSQUAW  RIVER  WHITE-FISH.  "  WHITING."  Head  com- 
pressed, rather  long;  mouth  rather  small, the  jaws  equal;  maxillary 
to  front  of  pupil ;  eye  4^  in  head  ;  supraorbital  narrow  ;  D.  high 
in  front,  its  last  rays  short.  Bluish,  sides  little  silvery;  fins  dusky. 
Head  4f  ;  depth  4£.  D.  11.  A.  11.  Scales  9-80-8.  L.  20. 
White  Mts.  to  Labrador  and  L.  Superior ;  abundant  N. 

aa.  Lower  jaw  projecting;  premaxillaries  narrow,  not  vertically  placed ;  pre- 
orbital  elongate;  gill  rakers  very  long  and  slender,  about  X  -f-  30;  the 
cleft  of  the  mouth  2j  to  3£  in  the  head. 
d.  Body  elongate,  herring-shaped;   scales  small,  uniform,  the  free  edges 

convex.     (Argyrosomm  Agassiz.) 
e.  Lower  fins  pale,  or  tipped  with  dusky. 
f.  Scales  brilliantly  silvery,  without  dark  specks. 

185.  C.  hoyi    (Gill).     LAKE   MOON-EYE.     Cisco    OF   LAKE 
MICHIGAN.     Head  rather  long,  lower  jaw  barely  included  ;  maxil- 
lary 3  in  head  to  middle  of  pupil;  eye  very  large,  3^  in  head;  lower 
jaw  little  projecting;   gill  rakers  nearly  as  long  as  eye  ;  fins  low; 
free  edge  of  D.  very  oblique.     Color  bluish,  sides  brilliantly  silvery, 
as  in  Hiodon  and  Albula.     Head  4^  ;  depth  4f.     D.  10.     A.  10. 
Scales  7-75-7.     L.  12.     Smallest  and  prettiest  of  our  white-fishes, 
from  Skaneateles  L.,  N.  Y.,  to  L.  Mich.,  in  deep  water.     (To  Dr. 
Philo  R.  Hoy,  of  Racine,  Wis.) 

ff.  Scales  more  or  less  punctulate  with  darker. 

186.  C.  artedi  Le  Sueur.     LAKE  HERRING.     Cisco.     MICHI- 
GAN HERRING.     Maxillary  3^  in  head,  reaching  middle  of  pupil ; 
eye  4  to  5  in  head.     Bluish  or  greenish,  sides  silvery  ;    scales  and 
fins  with  dark  specks.    Head  4^;  depth  4^.    D.  10.    A.  12.    Scales 
8-75  to  90-7.     L.  15.     Great  Lakes  to  Labrador  ;  very  abundant, 
usually  in  shoal  waters,  also  land-locked  in  lakes  of  N.  Ind.  and 
Wis.   (var.  sisco  Jordan),  where  it  lives   in  deep  water,  spawn- 
ing near  shore  in  December.     (To  Peter  Artedi,  the  "  father  of 
ichthyology.*') 

ee.  Lower  fins  blue-black. 

187.  C.  nigripinnis  (Gill).    BLUE-FIN.    Body  more  robust  than 
in  C.  artedi ;  mouth  large;  eye  4  in  head;   teeth  present,  minute. 
Dark  bluish,  sides  silvery,  punctulate.    Head  4£;  depth  3|.    D.  10. 
A.  12.     Scales  9-88-7.     L.  20.     L.  Mich.,  in  deep  water.     (Lat., 
niger,  black;  pinna,  fin.) 

dd.  Body  short,  deep,  compressed;  the  curve  of  back  similar  to  that 
of  belly;  scales  large,  larger  forwards,  closely  imbricated  ;  the 
free  margin  little  convex.  (Allosomus  Jordan.) 

188.  C.  tullibee  Richardson.    TULLIBEE.    "  MONGREL  WHITE- 
PISH."      Head  much  as  in   C.  nigripinnis;  maxillary  as  long  as 
eye;  jaws  equal  when  closed;  eye  as  long  as  snout,  4^.     Bluish, 


SALMONID^E.  —  XXXIV.  7  9 

sides  white  ;  centre  of  each  scale  silvery  ;  outside  dotted,  the 
sides  thus  with  faint  pale  stripes.  Head  4  ;  depth  3.  D.  11. 
A.  11.  Scales  8-74-7.  L.  18.  Great  Lakes,  N.,  scarce.  (An 
Indian  name.) 


81.  THYMALLUS  Cuvier.      (^/zaXXor,  ancient  name  of  the 
Grayling.) 

189.  T.  signifer   Richardson.     AMERICAN  GRAYLING.     Body 
compressed,  rather  elongate  ;  head  short,  subconic  ;  mouth  moder- 
ate, the  maxillary  to  middle  of  eye  ;  jaws  subequal  ;  teeth  on  tongue 
disappearing  with  age  ;    eye  large,  3  in  head  ;   a  bare  space  on 
breast;  gill  rakers  slender,  X-f-  11;  D.  very  high,  especially  in 
males,  highest  in  specimens  from  far  North.     Purplish  gray,  with 
small  black  spots;   ventrals  dusky,  with  pale  lines;    dorsal  highly 
variegated,  with  crimson  and  dusky  streaks  and  greenish  and  rose- 
colored  spots.     Head  4f;  depth  4f.     D.  20.     A.  10.     Scales  8-90 
to  100-9.     L.  18.     Arctic  America,  in  clear,  cold  streams.     The 
Michigan   Grayling  is  var.  ontariensis  Cuv.  &  Val.  (=77.  tricolor, 
Cope),  with  rather  longer  head  and  lower  dorsal,  its  height  rarely 
greater  than  depth  of  body  ;  in  a  few  streams  in  N.  Mich,  and  Mon- 
tana;  a  remnant  perhaps  of  the  glacial  fauna.     (Lat.,  bearing  a 
banner.) 

82.  SALMO  (Artedi)  Linnseus.     (Lat.,  salmon,   originally  from 
salio,  to  leap.) 

(Besides  the  native  Salmon,  the  following  species  have  been 
introduced  into  waters  within  our  limits  :  Salmo  fario  L.,  the 
"  Brook-trout,"  or  "  Brown  Trout,"  of  Europe,  with  the  vomerine 
teeth  well  developed  and  the  scales  rather  large,  about  1  20.  Salmo 
gairdneri  Richardson,  the  "  Rainbow  Trout  "  of  California,  similar 
to  the  last,  and  with  about  130  scales.  Salmo  mykiss  Walbaum, 
the  Red-throated  or  Rocky  Mountain  Trout,  with  larger  mouth 
and  the  scales  about  1  75.  Besides  this,  the  great  Salmon  of  the 
Columbia,  the  Quinnat  or  King  Salmon,  Oncorhynchus  tschawytscha 
(Walbaum),  has  been  introduced.  This,  the  most  valuable  of  all 
Salmonidce,  may  be  known  by  the  presence  of  16  anal  rays,  and  by 
the  black  spots  on  back  and  upper  fins.  Its  scales  are  about  145.) 

a.  Marine  Salmon,  anadromous,  with  the  vomerine  teeth  little  developed, 
those  on  the  shaft  of  the  bone  few  and  deciduous;  scales  large  (lat.  1. 
120);  C.  deeply  lunate,  truncate  in  old  age;  no  hyoid  teeth;  sexual 
differences  strong;  breeding  males  with  the  lower  jaw  hooked  upwards, 
the  upper  emarginate  or  perforate,  to  receive  its  tip  (Salmo). 

190.  S.  salar  Linnaeus.     COMMON  SALMON.    Mouth  moderate, 
maxillary  reaching  past  eye,  2^  to  3  in  head  ;   preopercle  with  a 
distinct  lower  limb.    Brownish  above,  the  sides  silvery  ;  many  black 
spots  on  head,  body  and  fins,  these  sometimes  X-shaped  ;  sides  with 


80  TELEOSTEI :  ISOSPONDYLI.  —  XIII. 

red  patches  in  males ;  young  (parr ;  smolt)  with  dark  cross-bars 
and  red  spots.  Head  4;  depth  4.  B.  11.  I).  11.  A.  9.  Scales 
23-120-21;  vert.  60;  pyl.  caeca  65;  usual  weight  15  pounds,  but 
often  much  larger.  N.  Atlantic,  S.  to  N.  Y.  and  France,  ascend- 
ing all  suitable  rivers;  often  (var.  sebago  Girard),  land-locked  in 
lakes.  One  of  the  best  known  and  most  valued  of  food-fish.  Vari- 
able. (An  old  name,  from  salio,  to  leap.)  (Eu.) 

83.  SALVELINUS  (Nilsson)  Richardson.     CHARRS.     (An  old 

name,  allied  to  the  German,  Salbling.) 

(The  species  of  this  group  are  in  general  smaller,  finer,  hand- 
somer, and  more  wary  than  the  Salmon,  and  they  inhabit  in  general 
colder  waters.  Besides  the  native  species,  attempts  have  been 
made  to  introduce  the  following  :  Salvelinus  alpinus  L.,  the  Euro- 
pean charr,  Salbling,  or  Ombre  Chevalier,  a  species  very  close  to 
S.  oquassa  and  S.  malma  (Walbaum),  the  "Dolly  Varden  Trout," 
or  "  Bull  Trout "  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  slope ;  very  close  to  S. 
fontinalis,  the  back  as  well  as  the  sides,  with  red  spots) . 

a.  Hyoid  bone  (base  of  tongue)  with  a  band  of  strong  teeth  (besides  the 
usual  teeth  around  edge  of  tongue);  head  of  the  vomer  with  a  raised 
crest,  which  projects  backward,  free  from  and  parallel  with  the  shaft; 
this  crest  with  teeth;  lake  trout,  very  large,  spotted  with  gray.  (Cristi- 
vomer  Gill  &  Jordan.) 

191.  S.  namaycush   (Walbaum).      GREAT    LAKE     TROUT. 
MACKINAW    TROUT.      SALMON    TROUT    (of  the   Lakes,  not   of 
England,   nor  of   Oregon,   nor   of  the   Gulf  of   St.    Lawrence). 
LONGE.     TOGUE.     Head  very  long;  mouth  very  large,  the  matfil- 
lary  reaching  much  beyond  eye,  2  in  head  ;   teeth  very  strong ; 
C.  well  forked.     Dark  gray,  varying  in  shade ;  everywhere  with 
round  pale  spots;    head  above,  and  D.   and  C.   reticulate  with 
darker;  eye  large.     Head  4£;  depth  4.     B.  12.     D.  11.     A.  11. 
Lat.  1.  185  to  205.     L.  3  feet  or  more.     Great  Lake  region,  and 
lakes  from  New   Brunswick   to  Montana,  British  Columbia  and 
Alaska,  abundant,  variable.     A  food-fish  of  high  value.     In  Lake 
Superior  is  found  var.  siskawitz  Agassiz,  the  Siscowet,  similar,  but 
less  elongate  and  inordinately  fat.     (Indian  name.) 

aa.  Hyoid  bone  with  a  very  few  feeble  teeth  or  with  none ;  vomer  with  teeth 
on*  its  head  only  and  without  posterior  crest;  red-spotted  species.  (Sal- 
velinus,) 

b.  Hyoid  teeth  none;  head  large,  4  to  4£  in  length;  red  spots  of  body  on 
sides  only. 

192.  S.  fontinalis    (Mitchill).     BROOK   TROUT.1      SPECKLED 
TROUT.     Head  large,  the  snout  bluntish;  mouth  large,  the  maxil- 

i  "  This  Is  the  last  generation  of  trout  fishers.  The  children  will  not  be  able  to  find 
any.  Already  there  are  well  trodden  paths  by  every  stream  in  Maine,  in  New  York, 
and  in  Michigan.  I  know  of  but  one  river  in  North  America  by  the  side  of  which  you 


SALMONID.E.  —  XXXIV. 

^ 

lary  reaching  beyond  eye ;  eye  large ;  C.  lunate,  forked  in  young. 
Dusky  greenish,  sides  with  red  spots  mostly  smaller  than  pupil; 
back  mostly  unspotted,  barred  or  mottled  with  dark ;  D.  and  C. 
mottled  or  barred ;  lower  fins  dusky,  with  an  orange  band  followed 
by  a  darker  one  ;  belly  mostly  red  in  males.  Very  variable.  Sea- 
run  individuals  (var.  immaculatns  H.  R.  Storer)  are  silver-gray, 
nearly  plain,  and  they  reach  a  large  size.  Specimens  from  Dublin 
Pond,  N,  H.  (var.  agassizii  Garman)  are  likewise  pale,  looking  like 
Lake  Trout.  Head  4£ ;  depth  4J.  D.  10.  A.  9.  Scales  37-230-30. 
Gill  rakers  6  +  11.  L.  5  to  20.  Greatest  weight  about  11  pounds. 
Our  finest  game  fish,  abounding  in  clear  cold  streams  from  Maine 
to  Dakota  and  N.  to  Arctic  Circle ;  $.  in  Aits,  to  Chattahoochee  R. 
(Lat.,  living  in  fountains.) 

bb.  Hyoid  teeth  present,  feeble,  often  lost;  head  smaller  (about  5  in  length); 

mouth  small,  the  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  past  middle  of  eye. 
c.  Gill  rakers  curled  at  the  ends. 

193.  S.  aureolus  Bean.     SUNAPEE  LAKE  TROUT.     Maxillary 
reaching  middle  of  eye,  2|  in  head  ;  eye  a  little  longer  than  snout, 
4f  in  head ;  P.  largest  in  <£.    Brownish,  sides  silver  gray,  with  small 
orange  spots  above  and  below  lateral  line;  C.  grayish ;  belly  orange; 
A.  orange,  edged  before  with  white ;  V.  orange,  with  white  band 
on  outer  rays;  no  mottlings  anywhere.    Head  4£;  depth  4^.    D.  9. 
A.  8.     Scales  35-210-40.    L.  12,  or  more.    Sunapee  Lake,  N.  H., 
very  close  to  S.  oquassa,  but  reaching  a  larger  size.    (Lat.,  gilded.) 

cc.  Gill  rakers  straight. 

194.  S.  oquassa  (Girard).     BLUE-BACK  TROUT.     RANGELEY 
LAKE  TROUT.     Body  elongate,  compressed;  head  small,  flattish 
above;  eye  3^  in  head;  P.  and  V.  not  elongate;  C.  deeply  lunate; 
opercles  without  striae.     Dark  blue,  the  red  spots  smaller  than 
pupil,  on  sides  only;  traces  of  dark  bars  on  sides  ;  lower  fins  varie- 
gated as  in  other  charrs.     Head  5;  depth  5.     D.  10.     A.  9.     Lat. 
1.230.    Gill  rakers  6 -f- 11.     L.  12.     Smallest  and  prettiest  of  our 
Salmonidce,  and  most  like  the  European  Salvelinus  alpinus,  found 
only  in  the  Rangeley  Lakes  in  S.  W.  Maine,  and  (S.  naresi  Giin- 
ther),  in  some  lakes  in  Arctic  America.     Perhaps  a  variety  of  S. 
Ktagnalis  Fabricius,  of  Greenland.     (From  Oquassoc,  one  of  the 
Rangeley  Lakes.) 

will  find  no  paper  collar  or  other  evidence  of  civilization.  It  is  the  Nameless  River. 
Not  that  trout  will  cease  to  be.  They  will  be  hatched  by  machinery  and  raised  in 
ponds  and  fattened  on  chopped  liver,  and  grow  flabby  and  lose  their  spots.  The 
trout  of  the  restaurant  will  not  cease  to  be.  He  is  no  more  like  the  trout  of  the 
wild  river  than  the  fat  and  songless  reed-bird  is  like  the  bobolink.  Gross  feeding 
and  easy  pond  life  enervates  and  depraves  him.  The  trout  that  the  children  will 
know  only  by  legend  is  the  gold-sprinkled  living  arrow  of  the  White-water,  able  to 
zigzag  up  the  cataract,  able  to  loiter  in  the  rapids,  whose  dainty  meat  is  the  glancing 
butterfly."  (Myron  W.  Reed.) 


82  TELEOSTEI:   HAPLOMI.  —  XIV. 

FAMILY  XXXV.  PERCOPSIDuSJ.  (THE  TROUT  PERCHES.) 
Body  elongate,  covered  with  moderate-  sized,  thin,  strongly  ctenoid 
scales  ;  head  naked  ;  no  barbels  ;  opercles  well  developed  ;  gill  open- 
ings wide  ;  an  adipose  fin  ;  mouth  small,  horizontal  ;  teeth  very 
small,  villiform  ;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palate  ;  margin  of  upper 
jaw  formed  by  premaxillaries  alone,  these  short  and  not  protrac- 
tile; gill  rakers  tubercle-like;  cavernous  structure  of  the  skull 
highly  developed,  as  in  Stelliferus,  Acerina  and  Ericymba;  fins  much 
as  in  Salmonidce  ;  pellucid  ;  branchiostegals  6  ;  stomach  siphonal 
with  about  10  pyloric  caeca;  ova  large;  no  oviduct.  A  single  spe- 
cies inhabiting  cold  fresh  waters  in  the  northern  U.  S.  Interest- 
ing little  fishes,  with  the  general  characters  of  Salmonidce,  but 
having  the  mouth  and  scales  decidedly  Perch-like. 

84.  PERCOPSIS  Agassiz.     (irepKrj,  perch  ;  o^ty,  appearance.) 

195.  P.  guttatus  Agassiz.  TROUT  PERCH.  Silvery;  upper 
parts  with  rounded  dark  spots  made  up  of  minute  dots  ;  lower  jaw 
included;  tail  long.  Head  3f  ;  depth  4J.  D.  11.  A.  8.  Lat.  1. 
50.  L.  10.  Great  Lakes  and  tributaries,  rarely  S.  ;  Ohio  R. 
(Jordan);  Potomac  R.  (Baird);  Delaware  R.  (Abbott);  Kansas 
(Gill).  (Lat.,  spotted.) 

ORDER  XIV.    HAPL.OMI.     (THE  PIKE-LIKE  FISHES.) 

This  order  differs  from  the  other  soft-rayed  fishes,  chiefly  in  the 
simpler  structure  of  the  shoulder  girdle,  which  lacks  the  prascoracoid 
arch.  There  is  never  an  adipose  dorsal  ;  the  dorsal  is  posterior  in 
position  and  the  head  is  depressed  and  usually  more  or  less  scaly. 
The  pseudobranchise  are  wanting  or  glandular.  The  group  is  made 
up  chiefly  of  fresh-water  species.  (cfo-Xoos,  simple;  w/ios,  shoulder.) 


FAMILY  XXXVI.     AMBLYOPSID^     (THE  CAVE 
FISHES.) 

Body  elongate,  with  long  depressed  head  ;  mouth  large,  the  lower 
jaw  projecting  ;  premaxillaries  scarcely  protractile,  forming  whole 
edge  of  upper  jaw;  teeth  villiform;  eyes  sometimes  rudimentary 
and  concealed  under  the  skin  ;  head  naked,  with  papillary  ridges  ; 
body  with  small,  cycloid  scales,  irregularly  arranged;  no  lateral 
line  ;  D.  far  back,  opposite  A.;  C.  rounded;  V.  small,  or  wanting; 
vent  at  the  throat,  as  in  Aphredoderus  ;  gill  membranes  joined  to 
isthmus  ;  stomach  cascal,  with  pyloric  appendages  ;  some  (and 
probably  all)  viviparous.  Genera  3  ;  species  5. 

Fishes  of  small  size  living  in  subterranean  streams  and  ditches  of 
the  central  and  southern  U.  S.,  probably  remnants  of  an  ancient 
fauna. 


CYPRINODONTID.E.  —  XXXVII.  83 

a.  Eyes  rudimentary,  concealed  under  the  skin ;  body  colorless  ;  one  pyloric 
caecum. 

b.  Ventrals  present,  small AMBLYOPSIS,  85. 

bb.  Ventrals  entirely  wanting TYPHLICHTHYS,  86. 

aa.  Eyes  well  developed;  body  colored;  no  ventrals;  two  pyloric  caeca. 

CHOLOGASTER,  87. 

85.  AMBLYOPSIS  DeKay.     (a/i,3Av?,  obtuse;  ctytr,  vision. 

196.  A.  spelaeus  DeKay.     BLIND  FISH  OP  THE  MAMMOTH 
CAVE.    Head  3;  depth  4-^;  D.  and  A.  equal,  well  developed;  head 
and  body  with  papillary  ridges ;  scales  small ;  colorless.    D.  1 0.    A. 
9.     V.  4.     P.  11.     L.  2  to  5.     Subterranean  streams  of  Ky.  and 
Ind.,  Mammoth  Cave,  etc.     (Lat.,  living  in  caves.) 

"  If  the  Amblyopses  be  not  alarmed,  they  come  to  the  surface  to  feed,  and 
swim  in  full  sight,  like  white  aquatic  ghosts.  They  are  then  easily  taken  by 
the  hand  or  net  if  perfect  silence  be  preserved,  for  they  are  unconscious  of  the 
presence  of  an  enemy  except  through  the  sense  of  hearing.  This  sense  is 
however  very  acute;  for  at  any  noise,  they  turn  suddenly  and  hide  beneath 
stones  at  the  bottom.  They  take  much  of  their  food  near  the  surface,  as  the 
life  of  the  depths  is  apparently  very  sparse.  This  habit  is  rendered  very  easv 
by  the  structure  of  the  fish,  for  the  mouth  is  directed  upwards,  and  the  head 
is  very  flat  above,  thus  allowing  the  mouth  to  be  at  the  surface."  (Cope.) 

86.  TYFHLICHTHYS  Girard.     (™$Xo's,  blind ;  Ix6vs,  fish.) 

197.  T.   subterraneus     Girard.       General    character    of    A. 
spelceus,  but  the  head  rather  blunter  and  broader  forwards;  the 
mouth  smaller.    D.  8.    A.  8.    P.  12.    L.  2.    Caves  and  wells  in  Ky., 
Tenn.,  Ala. ;  as  common  as  the  preceding,  of  which  it  is  perhaps  a 
variation. 

87.  CHOLOGASTER  Agassiz.     (x<oXos-,  maimed;  yaorrjp,  belly.) 

198.  C.  agassizii  Putnam.     Eyes  large;   uniform  light  brown; 
fins   speckled.     P.  a  little  more  than  half  way  to   D.     Head   4 ; 
depth  4.     D.  9.     A.  9.     L.  1^.     Subterranean  streams  in  Tenn. 
and  Ky.     A  closely  related  species  (C.  cornutus  Ag.),  is  known 
from  a  rice-ditch  in  S.  C.     (For  Louis  Agassiz.) 

199.  C.  papilliferus  Forbes.      Yellowish  brown,  dark  above; 
sides  with  three  dark  streaks,  the  middle  streak  pale  behind  head ; 
C.  dark,   with  cross-rows  of  white  specks  ;   eye  small,  6  in  head, 
above  and  well  behind  maxillary ;  P.  reaching  half  way  to  D. ;  body 
•with  tactile  papillary  ridges.     Head  3^.     L.  1  inch.     Cave  spring, 
Union  Co.,  111.     (Lat.,  bearing  papUlce.) 

FAMILY  XXXVII.    CYPRINODONTID^.     (THE  KILLI- 

FISHES.) 

Body  oblong,  depressed  in  front,  more  or  less  compressed  be- 
hind, covered  with  adherent  cycloid  scales ;  no  lateral  line ;  head 
scaly ;  mouth  small,  terminal,  extremely  protractile ;  the  edge  of 


84  TELEOSTEI:  HAPLOMI.  —  XIV. 

upper  jaw  formed  by  premaxillaries ;  teetli  various;  gill  membranes 
somewhat  connected,  free  from  isthmus;  B.  4  to  6 ;  D.  single, 
inserted  posteriorly,  rarely  preceded  by  a  spine;  C.  not  forked; 
stomach  siphonal,  without  pyloric  caeca;  sexes  unlike  ;  some  spe- 
cies ovoviviparous.  Genera  30;  species  140;  in  fresh  and  brackish 
waters  of  all  warm  regions.  Most  of  them  are  small  in  size,  and 
some  species  of  Heterandria  are  perhaps  the  smallest  of  fishes.  The 
species  here  mentioned  are  carnivorous,  surface  swimmers ;  many 
southern  species  feed  on  mud  and  slime. 

a.  Intestinal  canal  short,  but  little  convoluted;  dentary  bones  firmly  united ; 

teeth  fixed;  carnivorous  species. 
b.  Oviparous  species,  the  anal  fin  of  the  male  not  modified  into  an  intromit- 

tent  organ.     (Cyprinodontince.) 

c.  Teeth  in  a  single  series,  incisor-like,  notched ;  dorsal  of  10  or  11  rays, 
the  first  ray  small ;  gill  openings  restricted  above ;  body  stout  and 

deep CYPRINODON,  88. 

cc.  Teeth  pointed;  ventrals  present;  air-bladder  present. 
e.  Teeth  in  more  than  one  series. 
f.  Dorsal  rather  large,  well  forward;  Its  rays  usually  11  to  18,  the 

first  above  or  in  front  of  A FUNDULUS,  89. 

Jf.  Dorsal  small  and  posteriorly  placed,  its  rays  7  to  10;  the  first 
generally  behind  front  of  the  small  anal;  size  small. 

ZYGONECTES,  90. 
ee.  Teeth  in  one  series;  D.  inserted  before  A.;  D.  and  A.  short,  of  9 

to  13  rays LUCANIA,  91. 

bb.  Ovoviviparous  species,  the  anal  fin  of  the  male  advanced  and  modified 
into  a  sword-shaped  intromittent  organ.     (Anablepince.) 

g.  Eye  normal,  not  divided  by  crosswise  partition ;  jaws  short ; 
fins  small;  D.  inserted  behind  A.    .     .     .    GAMBUSIA,  92. 

88.  CYPRINODON  Lacepede.     (wirplvos,  carp;  68&v,  tooth.) 

200.  C.  variegatus  Lacepede.     Body  short,  deep,  compressed ; 
humeral  scale  4  times  size  of  others ;    £   steel-blue,  more  or  less 
copper-red  below ;    C.  with  black  bar  at  base  and  tip ;    9  oliva- 
ceous, sides  silvery,  with  irregular  dark  cross-streaks ;   a  dark  spot 
on  D.  behind.     Head  3;   depth  in  adult  about  2.     D.  10.     A.  10. 
Scales  25-12.     L.  2  to  4  inches,  southern  specimens  being  larger 
and  more  brightly   colored.      Cape  Cod  to   Texas,   in   brackish 
waters. 

89.  FUNDULUS    Lacepede.      (Lat.,  fundus,   bottom;    they 

often  bury  in  the  mud.) 

a.  Scales  comparatively  large,  about  36  in  a  lengthwise  series,  13  in  a  cross- 
series. 

b.  Branchiostegals  6 ;    rf  with  dark  cross-bars  and  a  black  dorsal  spot;   $ 
with  longitudinal  black  bands. 

201.  F.  majalis  (Walbaum).     KILLIFISH.     MAY-FISH.     Head 
long,  with  long  snout ;  D.  moderate ;  A.  very  high  in  <£  ;  eye  mod- 
erate;  <J  olivaceous,  brassy  on  sides;  with  about  12  bars  of  color 


CYPRINODONTID^E. —  XXXVII.  85 

of  back  ;  a  black  spot  on  D. ;  lower  fins  sometimes  yellow,  and  top 
of  head  black;  9  much  larger  than  g,  paler,  a  black  band  on 
level  of  eye  with  two  shorter  bands  below  it;  one  or  two  black 
cross-bars  at  base  of  C.  Head  3f ;  depth  4.  D.  12.  A.  10.  Scales 
36-13.  L.  6.  Cape  Cod  to  Fla.;  the  largest  of  the  genus,  common 
in  shallow  bays.  S.  occurs  F.  similis  Baird  &  Girard,  with  scales 
33,  and  both  sexes  resembling  <J  of  F.  majalis.  (Lat.,  pertaining 
to  May.) 

bb.  Branchiostegals  5 :  <f  with  silvery  spots  and  bars ;  9  nearly  plain  oliva- 
ceous; young  with  black  cross-bars. 

202.  F.  heteroclitus  (Linnams).    COMMON  KILLIFISH.    MUM- 
MICHOG.    MUD-FISH.    Body  short,  deep,  the  head  short,  broad ; 
eye  about  equal  to  snout ;   £  dark  green,  sometimes  orange  below, 
sides  with  scattered  yellowish  spots,  sometimes  running  into  silvery 
cross-bars ;  vertical  fins  dark,  with  pale  spots,  usually  a  black  spot 
on  D.;  young  $  with  9  or  10  silvery  bars;  young  9  with  9  or  10 
black  bars;  adult  9   nearly  plain.     Head  3|;   depth  3^.     D.  11. 
A.  10.     Scales  35-12.     L.  2  to  5.     Maine  to  Mexico;  everywhere 
common  along  shore,  in  shallow  water;  S.  specimens  (var.  grandis 
Baird  &  Girard)  larger  and  brighter.      (F.  pisculentus  Mitchill; 
F.  nigrofasciatus  Le  Sueur.)     (erepos,  different;  K\ITVS,  slope.) 

act.  Scales  moderate,  43  to  50  in  longitudinal  series. 

c.  Dorsal  inserted  before  A. ;  sides  with  many  dark  cross-bands. 

203.  P.  diaphanus  (Le  Sueur).      Body  rather  slender;  head 
slender,  flat  above;  fins  low.     Olivaceous,  sides  silvery,  with  15  to 
25  narrow  dark  cross-bands ;  fins  nearly  plain.   Western  specimens, 
var.  menona  Jordan  &  Copeland  (Ohio,  W.)  have  the  bands  very 
distinct,  and  somewhat  irregular  ;  the  back  always  spotted  ;  some- 
times silvery  cross-bands  replace  the  darker.     E.  specimens  (Cay- 
uga  L.,  N.  Y.  Bay)  have  the  back  plain,  the  bands  faint   and 
regular.     Head  3^  to  4  ;    depth  5.     D.  13.     A.  11.     Scales  46-12. 
L.  4.     Great  Lakes  and  tributaries,  E.  to  coast  of  Mass.,  S.  to  N". 
Ind.,  W.  to  Colorado,  ascending  clear  streams  to  their  sources,  also 
in  lakes  and  river  mouths. 

cc.  D.  inserted  over  front  of  A. ;  sides  with  regular  series  of  orange  or 
brown  spots. 

204.  F.  catenatus    (Storer).      STUD-FISH.     Body  long,   com- 
pressed ;  head  broad ;  color  greenish ;    $  with  an  orange  spot  on 
each  scale,  9  with  smaller  brown  spots,  these  forming  continuous 
stripes.     Head  4;   depth  4£.     D.  14.     A.  15.     L.  7.     Mountain 
streams,  E.  Tenn.  and  Ozark  region;  very  pretty.     In  Alabama 
R.  is  a  still  brighter  species  (F.  stellifer  Jordan),  with  scattered 
orange  spots.     (Lat.,  with  chain-like  lines.) 

aaa.  Scales  very  small,  about  60  in  a  longitudinal  series ;  sides  barred. 


86  TELEOSTEI  :  HAPLOMI  —  XIV. 

205.  F.  zebrinus  Jordan  &  Gilbert.     Body  slender,  the  head 
long;  fins  low;   greenish,  sides  silvery  white,  with  14  to  18  cross- 
bars of  the  color  of  the  back ;   fins  plain.     Head  3|  ;   depth  4f . 
D.  14.     A.  13.     Scales  60-21.     L.  3.    Kansas  to  Texas.    (Lat., 
like  a  zebra.) 

90.  ZYGONECTES  Agassiz.      (fvyoV,  yoke ;   yjjjcrqr,  swimmer  ; 

they  being  said  to  swim  in  pairs.) 

a.  Sides  with  a  broad  blue-black  lateral  band;  vertical  fins  dotted. 

206.  Z.  notatus    (Rafinesque).      TOP-MINNOW.     Body  rather 
elongate;   head  low;   snout  long;   eye  3  in  head;   fins  moderate; 
outer  teeth  enlarged ;  lateral  band  darkest  in  $ ,  serrated  in  young ; 
back  dotted  ;   a  translucent  spot  on  top  of  head.     Head  4  ;  depth 
4J.     D.  9.    A.  11.     Scales  34-11.     L.  3.     Mich,  to  Ala.  and  Tex., 
abundant  in  quiet  waters.     (Lat.,  noted,  i.  e.  spotted.) 

ao.  Sides  with  10  to  12  dark  vertical  bars,  but  without  longitudinal  stripes ; 
D.  in  cf  with  a  large  black  ocellus,  edged  before  with  white,  behind 
by  yellow. 

207.  Z.  luciae  (Baird).     Body  rather  elongate;   green-yellow 
below.     Head  about  3^  ;  depth  about  4.     D.  8.     A.  9.     Scales  un- 
described,  probably  about  35.     L.  1.     Beesley's  Point,  N.  J.,  not 
lately  recognized.     (Named  for  Lucy  Baird,  daughter  of  Professor 
Baird.) 

aaa.  Sides  with  about  10  stripes  of  orange-brown  following  the  rows  of  scales, 
a  spot  on  each ;  cf  with  the  lines  interrupted  and  with  9  dark  cross- 
bars ;  a  black  blotch  below  eye. 

208.  Z.  dispar  Agassiz.     Body  deep,  compressed;   head  short, 
very  broad;   fins  low;   D.  much  smaller  than  A.     Bluish  olive, 
lateral  stripes  wavy.     Head  3|;  depth  3£.     D.  7.     A.  9.     Scales 
35-10.     L.  2^.     Lakes  and  ponds,  Ohio  to  Iowa.     (Lat.,  dissim- 
ilar.) 

aaaa.  Sides  plain  olivaceous,  without  spots  or  lines. 

209.  Z.  sciadicus  (Cope).    Body  short,  deep ;  fins  small.    Head 
3£;  depth  about  3£.     D.  10.     A.  12.     Scales  39-13.    L.  2.    Platte 
R.  etc. 

91.  LUCANIA  Girard.     (A  name  of  euphony  without  meaning.) 

210.  L.  parva  (Baird  &  Girard).     RAIN-WATER  FISH.     Body 
rather  deep,  £  dark  olive.    D.  dusky  orange  with  black  and  orange 
ocellus  at  base  in  front ;  other  fins  chiefly  orange ;   $>  larger,  the 
fins  plain.     Head  3£;  depth  about  3.    D.  10.    A.  10.    Scales  26-8. 
L.  2.     L.  I.  to  Key  West,  in  tide  pools,  etc.     (Lat.,  small.) 


UMBRID.E.  —  XXXVIII.  87 

92.  GAMBUSIA  Poey. 

(From  the  Cuban  word  Gambusino,  which  signifies  nothing,  with 
the  idea  of  a  joke  or  farce.  Thus  people  say,  "  one  fishes  for  Gam- 
businos,"  when  he  catches  nothing.  Poey.} 

211.  G.  patruelis  (Baird  &  Girard).  Top-MiNNOW.  Body 
plump ;  tail  rather  long  ;  snout  broad ;  eye  about  3.  Olivaceous, 
usually  a  dark  streak  along  upper  part  of  side ;  a  blackish  area  be- 
low eye,  usually  distinct;  D.  and  C.  mostly  with  dark  cross-streaks; 
usually  a  dusky  blotch  on  sides  in  females  (the  dark  interior  show- 
ing through  translucent  skin) ;  small  specimens  often  uniform  yel- 
lowish. Head  3f ;  depth  3|  to  4.  D.  7  to  9.  Scales  28-7.  L.  2£ 
9-  $  1.  Very  abundant  in  all  lowland  waters  from  the  Poto- 
mac to  111.  and  the  Rio  Grande.  The  males  are  scarce  and  very 
small,  the  anal  process  about  as  long  as  head.  The  young  are  born 
at  the  length  of  about  ^  inch,  in  the  spring.  The  gravid  females 
are  recognized  without  difficulty,  the  others  are  easily  mistaken  for 
Zygonectes,  and  have  been  repeatedly  described  as  such.  (Lat., 
cousin.) 

FAMILY  XXXVIII.    UMBRID^E.     (THE  MUD-MINNOWS.) 

Body  formed  as  in  Fundulus ;  head  large,  flattened  above; 
mouth  moderate,  the  premaxillaries  not  protractile,  the  maxillaries 
forming  lateral  margin  of  upper  jaw;  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines 
with  villiform  teeth ;  gill  openings  wide ;  gill  rakers  obsolete ; 
scales  cycloid  on  head  and  body;  no  lateral  line;  C.  rounded;  P. 
narrow.  Intestinal  canal  without  caeca;  air  bladder  simple.  Ovi- 
parous, sexes  similar.  Carnivorous  fishes  living  in  mud  in  the  clear 
waters  of  sluggish  streams  and  ponds  in  cool  regions,  extremely 
tenacious  of  life.  One  genus  with  2  species,  Umbra  crameri  of 
Austria  and  U.  limi. 

"  A  locality  which,  with  the  water  perfectly  clear,  will  appear 
destitute  of  fish,  will  perhaps  yield  a  number  of  mud  fish  on  stir- 
ring up  the  mud  at  the  bottom  and  drawing  a  seine  through  it. 
Ditches  in  the  prairies  of  Wisconsin,  or  mere  bog-holes,  apparently 
affording  lodgment  to  nothing  beyond  tadpoles,  may  thus  be  found 
filled  with  Mud-minnows."  (Baird.} 

93.  UMBRA  (Kramer)  Miiller.     (Lat.,  shade.) 

212.  U.  limi  (Kirtland).  MUD-MINNOW.  DOG-FISH.  Ventrals 
slightly  before  D. ;  A.  much  smaller  than  D.  The  typical  form 
(Great  Lakes  and  W.)  is  dull  olive  green,  with  about  14  narrow 
pale  bars,  faint  in  young ;  black  caudal  bar  faint ;  lower  jaw  pale  ; 
the  Eastern  form,  var.  pygmaea  DeKay  (Conn,  to  N.  C.),  with 
narrow  pale  lengthwise  streaks  instead  of  bars;  dark  caudal  bar 


88  TELEOSTEI:  HAPLOMI.  —  XIV. 

very  evident ;  lower  jaw  black.  Head  3f ;  depth  3f .  B.  6.  D.  14. 
A.  9.  Scales  35-15.  L.  4.  N.  C.  to  Conn,  and  Ontario,  W.  to 
Ind.  and  Minn.,  in  cool  weedy  streams  and  swamps.  (Lat.,  of  the 
mud.) 

FAMILY  XXXIX.    ESOCID^J.     (THE  PIKES.) 

Body  elongate,  somewhat  compressed,  with  rather  small,  cycloid 
scales  ;  lateral  line  present,  more  or  less  imperfect ;  head  long,  the 
snout  much  prolonged  and  depressed  ;  mouth  very  large,  the  lower 
jaw  longest;  upper  jaw  not  protractile,  most  of  its  edge  formed  by 
the  maxillaries;  premaxillaries,  vomer,  and  palatines  with  bands  of 
more  or  less  movable  cardiform  teeth  ;  lower  jaw  with  strong,  un- 
equal teeth  ;  tongue  with  small  teeth ;  head  naked  above,  scaly  on 
sides;  gill  rakers  tubercular;  B.  12  to  20;  D.  opposite  A.  as  in 
other  Haplomi ;  C.  emarginate ;  P.  small ;  intestinal  canal  simple, 
with  caeca;  air-bladder  present.  One  genus,  with  5  species,  one 
in  the  fresh  waters  of  both  continents,  the  rest  all  American.  All 
are  noted  for  their  voracity,  "  mere  machines  for  the  assimilation 
of  other  organisms."  The  flesh  is  white,  flaky,  and  excellent. 
The  Pike  is  "a  solemn  stately  ruminant  fish,  lurking  under  the 
shadow  of  a  lily-pad  at  noon,  with  still,  circumspect,  voracious  eye, 
motionless  as  a  jewel  set  in  water,  or  moving  slowly  along  to  take 
up  its  position  ;  darting  from  time  to  time  at  such  unlucky  fish  or 
frog  or  insect  as  comes  within  its  range,  and  swallowing  it  at  a  gulp. 
Sometimes  a  striped  snake,  bound  for  greener  meadows  across  the 
stream,  ends  its  undulatory  progress  in  the  same  receptacle." 
(  Thoreau.) 

94.  ESOX  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (An  old  name  of  the  Pike). 

a.  Cheeks  and  opercles  entirely  scaly. 

b.  Branchiostegals  12  (11  to  13); "scales  105  to  108;  D.  11  or  12;  A.  11  or 
12 ;  snout  short,  the  middle  of  eye  nearer  tip  of  lower  jaw  than  edge  of 
opercle ;  species  of  small  size. 

213.  B.   americanus    Gmelin.     Head   short,   3-£ ;    snout   2^  in 
head ;  eye  2f  in  snout.     Dark  green,  sides  with  about  20  distinct 
curved  dusky  bars ;  fins  plain.    Depth  5£.    L.  12.    Mass,  to  Fla.,  in 
coastwise  streams. 

214.  E.  vermiculatua  Le  Sueur.     LITTLE  PICKEREL.     Head 
longer,  3^ ;  snout  2^  in  head  ;  eye  2^  in  snout.    Olive  green  ;  sides 
with  many  darker  curved  streaks,  usually  distinct  and  more  or  less 
reticulate;  fins  mostly  plain;  depth  5£.    L.  12.    Miss.  Valley,  etc., 
very  abundant  in  small  streams  and  bayous.      (Lat.,  having  marks 
like  worm-tracks.) 

bb.  Branchiostegals  14  to  16  ;  D.  14  (developed  rays)  ;  A.  13  ;  scales 
about  125;  snout  long,  the  middle  of  eye  midway  between  chin  and 
edge  of  opercle. 


^u 

ANGUILLHm  —  XL. 

215.  B.  reticulatus  Le  Sueur.     EASTERN  PICKEREL.     Head 
long,  3^;    snout  2^  in  head,   eye  3|  in  snout.     Greenish,  with 
numerous  narrow  dark  lines  and  streaks,  mostly  horizontal  and 
more  or  less  reticulated ;  fins  plain ;  depth  5.    L.  30.    Me.  to  Ala., 
abundant  in   coastwise  streams,  not  W.  of  Alleghanies.     (Lat., 
having  a  net-work  of  marks.) 

aa.  Cheeks  entirely  scaly;  lower  half  of  opercles  bare;  B.  14;  D.  16  or  17; 
A.  13  or  14;  scales  about  123. 

216.  B.  lucius  L.     PIKE;  NORTHERN  PICKEREL.     Headlong, 
3£ ;  snout  2|  in  head ;  eye  3  in  snout ;  eye  placed  as  in  preceding. 
Grayish,  with  many  round  whitish  spots;   the  young  with  pale 
bars  ;  D.,  A.  and  C.  spotted  with  black ;  a  white  horizontal  streak 
bounding  naked  part  of  opercle.    Depth  5.    L.  30  to  50.     N.  Eur., 
Asia,  and  N.  Am.  from  L    Champlain  to  N.  Ind.  and  N.  W.  to 
Alaska ;  abundant,  N.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  pike.) 

aaa.  Cheeks  as  well  as  opercles  scaleless  on  the  lower  part;  B.  17  to  19;  D. 
17,  A.  15;  scales  about  150. 

217.  E.  masquinongy  (Mitchill).  MUSKALLUNGE.  MASKINONGY. 
Head  large,  3| ;  snout  2^-  in  head ;  eye  4  to  5  in  snout ;  eye  placed 
as  in  E.  reticulatus.     Dark  gray,  sometimes  (var.  immaculatus  Gar- 
rard)  immaculate,  usually  with  small  round  blackish  spots  on  a  paler 
ground ;  fins  spotted  with  black.     Depth  6.     L.  8  feet.     A  magni- 
ficent fish,  one  of  the  largest  in  fresh  waters.     Great  Lake  region 
and  N.  W. ;  occasional  in  the  Ohio  valley.      "  A  long,  slim,  strong, 
and  swift  fish,  in  every  way  fitted  for  the  life  it  leads,  that  of  a 
dauntless  marauder."     (Hallock.}     (The  Indian  name.) 

ORDER  XV.     APO1>ES.     (THE  EELS.) 

Scapular  arch  free  from  the  cranium ;  no  prsBCoracoid  arch ; 
body  much  elongate,  with  many  vertebras ;  no  ventral  fins ;  maxil- 
laries  and  premaxillaries  united  with  other  bones  or  else  wanting ; 
pharyngeal  and  opercular  bones  more  or  less  deficient;  no  fin 
spines;  gill  openings  narrow;  no  pseudobranchiae ;  scales  minute 
or  wanting.  A  large  group,  as  yet  of  uncertain  boundaries,  com- 
posed of  degenerate  Physostomi,  its  origin  and  relationship  as  yet, 
however,  uncertain.  Most  of  the  Eels  are  tropical  and  marine,  and 
many  belong  to  the  deep  seas.  Numerous  genera  and  species  not 
here  included  occur  in  the  deep  waters  off  our  coast,  (a,  privative ; 
irovs,  foot.j 

FAMILY  XL.    ANGUILLIDJE.     (THE  TRUE  EELS.) 

Body  compressed,  covered  with  small,  imbedded  scales,  linear  in 
form,  placed  obliquely,  some  of  them  at  right  angles  to  others  ;  lat- 
eral line  present ;  head  long ;  mouth  large,  the  lower  jaw  project- 


90  TELEOSTEI  :  APODES.  —  XV. 

ing;  teeth  small,  subequal,  in  bands  on  jaws  and  vomer  ;  pterygoid 
bones  slender;  tongue  free  in  front;  nostrils  lateral;  lips  full; 
opercles  developed ;  vertical  fins  confluent ;  D.  beginning  well  be- 
hind head ;  P.  present ;  gill  openings  moderate.  Sexual  organs  in- 
conspicuous. One  genus  with  four  or  more  species,  crawling  in  the 
mud  and  ooze  of  brackish  and  fresh  waters  of  most  regions,  absent 
on  the  Pacific  coast  of  America.  They  are  among  the  most  vora- 
cious of  fishes.  "  On  their  hunting  excursions,  they  overturn  alike 
huge  and  small  stones,  beneath  which  they  find  species  of  shrimp 
and  cray-fish,  of  which  they  are  excessively  fond.  Their  noses  are 
poked  into  every  imaginable  hole  in  their  search  for  food,  to  the 
terror  of  innumerable  small  fishes."  (  W.  H.  Ballon.) 

The  eels  often  move  for  a  considerable  distance  on  land,  in  damp 
grass.  High  waterfalls,  dams,  and  other  obstructions  are  often 
passed  in  this  way.  It  is  thought  that  eels  spawn  only  in  the 
sea,  and  that  the  female  spawns  once  and  then  dies.  The  females 
are  larger  than  the  males,  paler  in  color,  with  smaller  eyes  and 
higher  fins. 

95.  ANGUILLA  Thunberg. 

218.  A.  anguilla  (L.).  EEL.  Brown,  more  or  less  tinged  with 
yellowish.  Head  8^.  L.  40.  N".  Atlantic,  from  Maine  to  Brazil, 
ascending  all  streams ;  found  throughout  Mississippi  valley,  never 
in  the  open  sea.  The  American  Eel  (var.  rostrata  Le  Sueur)  has 
the  distance  from  front  of  D.  to  front  of  A.  a  little  less  than  head ; 
in  the  European  form  this  is  a  little  greater,  the  D.  being  a  little 
farther  back  in  the  former.  (Eu.)  (Lat.,  eel.) 

FAMILY  XLI.    ECHELID^E.     (THE  CONGER  EELS.) 

Eels  closely  related  to  the  Anguillidce,  but  without  scales,  and 
with  the  ovaries  in  the  female  evident,  and  with  comparatively 
large  eggs  similar  to  those  of  fishes  generally.  D.  commencing  not 
far  behind  head.  Genera  3  or  4;  species  about  10,  all  strictly 
marine.  Leptocephalus  morrisi  Gmelin,  a  translucent,  ribbon-shaped 
creature,  with  very  small  head,  and  no  generative  organs,  is  occa- 
sionally taken  on  our  coasts.  This  is  thought  to  be  a  stage  of  ar- 
rested development  of  the  young  of  Echelus,  a  larval  form  which 
goes  on  increasing  in  size  without  ever  reaching  the  characters  of 
the  perfect  animal. 

a.  Jaws  with  an  outer  series  of  close-set  teeth;  lower  jaw  not  projecting;  dor- 
sal beginning  behind  root  of  pectorals ECHELUS,  96. 

96.  ECHELUS *    Rafinesque.     (ey^eXv?,   eel,   softened  into 

Echelus.) 

1  In  strictness,  the  name  Leptocephalus  should  supersede  Echelus,  but  there  may  be 
some,  doubt  as  to  the  identification  of  L.  morrisi,  and  for  the  last  hundred  years  Lepto- 
ceplialus  has  been  used  as  a  general  name  for  these  peculiar  immature  forms. 


EXOCCETIM.  —  XLII.  9 1 

219.  R  conger  (L.).  CONGER  EEL.  Cleft  of  mouth  reaching 
beyond  middle  of  the  large  eye;  dark  brown  above,  paler  below. 
D.  and  A.  usually  pale,  with  broad,  black  margin ;  P.  dusky,  pale- 
edged;  pores  of  lateral  line  whitish ;  body  sometimes  wholly  black. 
L.  6  feet.  Open  sea,  not  rare  on  our  coast.  (Eu.)  (yoyypos, 
Conger,  the  ancient  name.) 

SERIES  PHYSOCLYSTI. 

We  now  begin  the  division  of  fishes  in  which  the  air-bladder  in 
the  adult  loses  all  connection  with  the  alimentary  canal.  This 
character  in  itself  is  of  slight  importance,  but  it  is  associated  with 
gradual  modifications  in  other  respects,  of  such  character  that 
the  typical  Physoclyst  is  quite  unlike  the  average  Physostome. 
Most  of  the  Physoclysts  have  spines  in  some  of  the  fins  ;  the  ven- 
tral fins  are  normally  thoracic,  each  with  a  spine  and  five  rays, 
while  the  pectorals  are  inserted  high.  But  there  are  many  excep- 
tions to  each  of  these  characters.  We  commence  the  series  with 
the  forms  most  closely  related  to  the  Haplomi  and  other  soft-rayed 
forms.  (${J(7a,  bladder;  /cXeioros,  closed.) 

ORDER  XVI.    SYNENTOGNATHI.    (THE  SYNENTOGNA- 
THOUS  FISHES.) 

Physoclistous  fishes  without  spines  in  the  fins,  with  the  ventrals 
abdominal  and  the  lower  pharyngeals  fully  united.  This  peculiar 
transitional  group  contains  a  single  family  divided  by  osteological 
characters  into  two  strongly  marked  groups,  called  families  by  Dr. 
Gill.  These  are  the  Belonidce  and  the  true  Exoccetidce  or  Scorn- 
beresocidce.  (<rw,  together  ;  eVros,  within ;  yvddos,  jaw.) 

FAMILY   XLII.       EXOCCETIDJE.      (THE  NEEDLE-FISHES. 
FLYING-FISHES.) 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  with  cycloid  scales;  a  ridge,  apparently 
representing  the  lateral  line,  running  along  side  of  belly  ;  head 
scaly ;  premaxillaries  not  protractile,  but  with  a  hinge  at  base, 
forming  most  of  margin  of  upper  jaw ;  teeth  various.  D.  poste- 
rior, similar  to  anal;  ventrals  inserted  posteriorly;  P.  inserted 
high;  C.  usually  forked,  the  lower  lobe  the  longer;  gill  openings 
wide  ;  pseudobranchise  hidden ;  air-bladder  large  ;  intestinal  canal 
simple.  Genera  about  11;  species  about  100;  in  all  warm  seas, 
some  of  them  endowed  with  remarkable  power  of  flight. 

a.  Jaws  with  sharp,  unequal  teeth;  both  jaws  much  produced;  no  finlets; 

maxillaries  grown  fast  to  premaxillaries ;  ovary  single.    (Belonince.) 
x.  Gill  rakers  none;  no  teeth  on  vomer;  D.  and  A.  falcate;  C.  hmate. 


92  TELEOSTEI:   SYNENTOGNATHI. —  XVI. 

6.  Body  little  compressed,  its  breadth  more  than  §  its  greatest  depth. 

TYLOSURUS,  97. 
bb.  Body  much  compressed,  its  breadth  not  half  its  greatest  depth. 

ATHLENNES,  98. 
aa.  Jaws  with  minute  teeth  or  none. 

c.  Maxillary  grown  fast  to  premaxillary ;  one  or  both  jaws  produced  in 

a  long  beak. 
d.  D.  and  A.  with  finlets ;  scales  small;  both  jaws  produced.     (Scorn- 

beresocince) SCOMBERESOX,  99. 

dd.  D.  and  A.  without  finlets;  upper  jaw  short,  the  lower  much  pro- 
duced.    (Hemiramphince.) 
e.  Pectorals  moderate,  not  longer  than  head  without  beak;  body 

rather  stout;  sexes  similar HEMIRAMPHUS,  100. 

ee.  Pectorals  very  long,  twice  head  without  beak;  V.  short;  body 
very  slender,  almost  band-like .      .    EULEPTORHAMPHUS,  101. 
cc.  Maxillary  distinct  from  premaxillary  ;  both  jaws  short.     (Exocce- 
tince.) 

f.  Roof  of  mouth  with  teeth;  body  elliptical  in  cross-section;  V. 
long,  inserted  behind  middle  of  body;  D.  high,  its  base  about 
equal  to  anal  base;  snout  and  lower  jaw  short. 

PAREXOCCETUS,  102. 
ff.  Koof  of  mouth  nearly  toothless ;  body  quadrate  in  cross-section ; 

P.  long,  about  reaching  base  of  C. 

ff.  Ventrals  inserted  anteriorly,  much  nearer  tip  of  snout  than 
base  of  C.,  small,  not  used  as  organs  of  flight. 

HALOCYPSELUS,  103. 

gg.  Ventrals  inserted  posteriorly,  nearer  base  of  C.  than  snout, 
used  as  organs  of  flight EXOCCETUS,  104. 

97.  TYLOSURUS  Cocco.     (™Xoy,  callus,  i.  e.  keel;   ovpd,  tail.) 

a.  Caudal  peduncle  depressed,  with  a  dermal  keel. 
b.  D.  and  A.  short,  each  of  14  to  16  rays;  last  rays  of  D.  low;  jaws  slender. 

220.  T.  maxinus  (Bloch  &  Schneider).     GAR-FISH.    BILL-FISH. 

NEEDLE-FISH.    SILVER  GAR. 

Scales  and  bones  green ;   green,  a  silvery  lateral  band  ;  a  dark 
baron  opercles;  P.  pale.    Head  2|;  depth  5£  in  head.    Lat.  1.  300. 
L.  4  feet.     Maine  to  Texas,  abundant ;  ascending  rivers. 
bb.  D.  and  A.  long,  each  of  21  to  24  rays ;  last  rays  of  D.  sometimes  ele- 
vated; caudal  keel  black. 

221.  T.  acus   (Lacepede).      HOUND-FISH.      AGUJON.      Beak 
long,  twice  rest  of  head.    Green,  no  lateral  stripe.    Lat.  1.  380.    L. 
5  feet.     West  Indies  and  Mediterranean;   occasional  N.  to  Cape 
Cod.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  needle.) 

98.  ATHLENNES  l    Jordan  &  Fordice.    (d/SXti/wys-,  without  mu- 

cosity,  an  ancient  epithet  applied  to  Belone  belone.) 

222.  A.  hians  (Cuv.  &  Val.).    Jaws  long  and  very  slender,  the 
upper  arched  at  base,  so  that  the  mouth  cannot  be  closed;  tail  not 

1  This  name  was  inadvertently  printed  "  Athlennes,"  and  may  remain  so  ;  "  AbUn- 
nes"  was  intended. 


EXOCGETID^E.  —  XLII.  9  3 

keeled;  eye  very  large,  scales  minute;  D.  elevated  behind.  Green, 
sides  silvery ;  young  with  round  dark  spots.  D.  25.  A.  26.  Lat.  1. 
520.  L.  40.  W.  Indies,  occasional  N.  (Lat.,  gaping.) 

99.  SCOMBERESOX  Lacepede.      (SCOMBER  -|-  Esox.) 
a.  Jaws  produced  in  a  slender  beak;  the  snout  longer  than  rest  of  head. 

223.  S.  saurus  (Walbaum).     SAURY.     SKIPPER.     Fins  small; 
C.  forked.      Olive,  sides  with  distinct  silvery  band.     Head  3£ ; 
depth  9.    D.  9 -VI.    A.  12 -VI.    Lat.  1.110.     L.  18.    Open  Atlan- 
tic, not  rare  ;   in  large  schools,  skipping  along  the  surface.     (#w.) 
(An  old  name,  "  lizard-fish.") 

100.  HEMIRAMPHUS  Cuvier.     (^«-,  half ;  pd/i$os,  beak.) 

a.  Ventrals  inserted  midway  between  eye  and  base  C.;  A.  about  as  long  as 
D.,  both  with  14  to  16  rays;  last  ray  of  D.  not  produced. 

224.  H.  unifasciatus  Ranzani.      HALF-BEAK.      Green;   lower 
jaw  red  ;  sides  with  a  silvery  band.    Head  4^ ;  depth  6  to  7^.    Lat.  1. 
54.     L.  12.     W.  Indies,  etc. ;  the  typical  form  with  shortish  jaw, 
from  Florida  Keys,  S.     Var.  roberti,  Cuv.  &  Val.,  more  slender, 
with  longer  lower  jaw,  longer  than  rest  of  head,  ranges  N.  to  Cape 
Cod.      (Lat.,  one-banded.)      (From  Va.,  S.,   occurs  H.  balao  Le 
Sueur,  with  V.  midway  between  middle  of  P.  and  base  of  C.) 

101.   EULEPTORHAMPHUS  Gill.      (euXcTrros,   very   slender; 
pdfji<pos>  beak.) 

225.  E.  longirostris  (Cuvier).     Lower  jaw  much  longer  than 
rest  of  head;  no  lateral  band.    Head  6f ;  depth  10.    D.  22.    A.  19. 
L.   18.      Open   sea,   occasional   N.   to  Cape   Cod.      (Lat.,   long- 
snouted.) 

102.  PAREXOCCETUS  Bleeker.     (napa,  near;  Exoccetus.') 

226.  P.  mesogaster  (Bloch).   Second  ray  of  P.  divided ;  D.  very 
high.     Blue;  sides  silvery;  D.  largely  black,  other  fins  pale.     Head 
4f;  depth  5.     D.  12.     A.  13.     Lat.  1.  38.     L.  6.     Open  sea,  N.  to 
R.  I.      (p*(ros,  middle  ;  yaorf)p,  the  position  of  V.) 

103.  HALOCYPSELUS   Weinland.     (5\s,  sea;   atyfAoff, 

swallow.) 

227.  H.  evolans  (L.).     Second  ray  of  P.  divided;  A.  nearly  as 
long  as  D. ;   D.  low  ;   P.  dark  above,  pale  below ;   other  fins  pale  ; 
V.  white.     Head  4 ;  depth  5J.     D.  13.     A.  13.    Lat.  1.  42.    L.  9. 
Open  sea,  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Lat.,  flying  away.) 

104.  EXOCCETUS1  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.    (FLYING-FISHES.) 
(The  flying-fishes  live  in  the  open  sea,  swimming  in  large  schools. 

They  will  "  fly "  a  distance  of  from  a  few  rods  to  more  than  an 

1  For  a  detailed  account  of  the  American  Flying-fishes,  see  Jordan  &  Meek,  Proc. 
U.  S.  Nat  Mus.,  1885,  p.  44. 


94  TELEOSTEI:   SYNENTOGNATHI.  —  XVI. 

eighth  of  a  mile,  rarely  rising  more  than  3  or  4  feet.  Their  move- 
ments in  the  water  are  extremely  rapid ;  the  sole  source  of  motive 
power  is  the  action  of  the  strong  tail  while  in  the  water.  No  force 
is  acquired  while  the  fish  is  in  the  air.  On  rising  from  the  water, 
the  movements  of  the  tail  are  continued  until  the  whole  body  is  out 
of  the  water.  While  the  tail  is  in  motion,  the  pectorals  seem  to  be 
in  a  state  of  rapid  vibration,  but  this  is  apparent  only,  due  to  the 
resistance  of  the  air  to  the  motions  of  the  animal.  While  the  tail 
is  in  the  water,  the  ventrals  are  folded.  When  the  action  of  the 
tail  ceases,  the  pectorals  and  ventrals  are  spread  and  held  at  rest. 
They  are  not  used  as  wings,  but  act  rather  as  parachutes  to  hold 
the  body  in  the  air.  When  the  fish  begins  to  fall,  the  tail  touches 
the  water,  when  its  motion  again  begins,  and  with  it  the  apparent 
motion  of  the  pectorals.  It  is  thus  enabled  to  resume  its  flight, 
which  it  finishes  finally  with  a  splash.  While  in  the  air  it  resem- 
bles a  large  dragon-fly.  The  motion  is  very  swift,  at  first  in  a 
straight  line,  but  later  deflected  into  a  curve.  The  motion  has  no 
relation  to  the  direction  of  the  wind.  When  a  vessel  is  passing 
through  a  school  of  these  fishes,  they  spring  up  before  it,  moving 
in  all  directions,  as  grasshoppers  in  a  meadow.1 

The  young  of  different  species  often  have  long  fleshy  barbels  at 
tip  of  the  lower  jaw.  These  are  lost  with  age.  They  were  formerly 
placed  in  a  separate  "  genus,"  Cypselurus  Swainson.  (e'^axoiro?, 
sleeping  outside  ;  an  old  name  of  some  fish  imagined  to  sleep  on 
the  beach  at  night.) 

a.  Anal  long,  its  base  nearly  equal  to  that  of  D.,  its  first  ray  opposite  first  of 

D. ;  anal  rays  11  or  12;  dorsal  rays  11  or  12.     (Exocoetus.} 
b.  Second  ray  of  P.  simple,  as  well  as  the  first;  4th  and  5th  rays  longest; 

V.  largely  black. 
c.  Second  ray  of  P.  scarcely  longer  than  first. 

228.  E.  exsiliens  Muller  (1776).     V.  2£  in  body,  reaching  C. ; 
P.  1£;   eye  large.     Head   4  ;  depth  5£.     Scales  48.     L.  10.     P. 
and  V.  marbled  with  black  and  white  ;  D.  with  black  spot  anteri- 
orly ;  A.  white  ;  a  dark  blotch  at  base  C.    Open  sea,  occasional  N. 
(E.  exiliens  Gmelin,  1788.)     (Lat.,  leaping  out.)    (Eu.) 

cc.  Second  ray  of  P.  nearly  half  longer  than  first. 

229.  E.  rondeletii  Cuv.  &  Val.     V.  3£  in  body,  reaching  last 
A.;  P.  If  in  body;  eye  moderate.    Head  4^;  depth  5^.    Scales  50. 
Ventrals  chiefly  black;  P.  dusky;  no  black  on  D.  or  A.     Open  sea, 
frequently  N.    {Eu.)    (For  Guillaume  Rondelet,  one  of  the  fathers 
of  ichthyology.) 

bb.  Second  ray  of  P.  divided;  3d  or  4th  longest 

1  Observations  on  the  flight  of  these  fishes  have  been  made  under  very  favorable 
conditions  by  Prof.  C.  H.  Gilbert,  and  the  writer.  Several  species  have  been  thus 
observed,  especially  the  largest  of  the  group,  E.  californicvs  Cooper. 


SYNGNATHID^E.  —  XLIII.  95 

d.  Ventrals  chiefly  black,  inserted  midway  between  eye  and  base  C. 

230.  E.  vinciguerrse  Jordan  &  Meek.     P.  dusky,  uniform  or 
•with  a  small  white  cross  stripe ;  D.  and  A.  without  black.     Head 
4£;  depth  61.     Scales  48.     L.  12.     Atlantic,  N.  to  Grand  Banks. 
(£*«.)     (To  Dr.  Decio  Vinciguerra,  of  Home.) 

dd.  Ventrals  nearly  white ;  inserted  midway  between  opercle  and  tail. 

231.  E.  volitans  L.     P.  dark  brown,  with  an  oblique  whitish 
band  from  axil  to  middle  of  fin  ;  D.  and  A.  without  black.     Head 
4\  ;  depth  6£.     D.  12.     A.  11.     Scales  55.     L.  12.     Atlantic,  N. 
to  Grand  Banks,  frequent.     (Eu.}     (Lat.,  flying.) 

aa.  Anal  short,  its  base  half  to  two-thirds  that  of  dorsal,  its  first  ray  behind 
first  of  D.;  anal  rays  9  or  10;  dorsal  12  to  14.     (Cypselurus  Swainson.) 

e.  Second  ray  of  pectoral  divided   (first  simple);   3d  and  4th    longest; 

V.  midway  between  eye  and  tail;  P.  without  round  black  spots; 
young  with  barbels. 
f.  D.  and  A.  plain  whitish ;  V.  pale. 

232.  E.  heterums  Rafinesque.     P.  with  an  oblique  white  band 
on  lower  half.     Head  4f  ;  depth  5£.    Scales  58.     L.  12.    Atlantic, 
the  commonest  species  on  our  coasts.     (Eu.)     (eWpos,  unequal; 
ovpa,  tail.) 

ff.  D.  and  A.  blotched  or  spotted  with  black;  V.  chiefly  black. 

233.  E.  furcatus  Le  Sueur.     P.  black,  with  a  white  band ;  C. 
with  3  dusky  cross-bars.     Head  4£;  depth  5£.     Scales  46.     L.  12. 
Warm  seas,  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  forked.) 

ee.  Second  ray  of  P.  simple,  like  the  first;  V.  chiefly  black. 

234.  E.  gibbifrons  Cuv.  &  Val.     Snout  more  bluntly  rounded 
than  in  any  other   species,  4£  in  head ;  V.  midway  between  eye 
and  C.  ;  P.  dusky,  paler  at  base ;  vertical  fins  plain,  rather  dusky. 
Head  4  ;  depth  b\.    Scales  46.     L.  12.     N.  Atlantic,  rare.     (Lat., 
gibbus,  swollen;  frons,  front.) 

ORDER  XVII.    LOPHOBRANCHII.     (THE  TUFT-GILLED 
FISHES.) 

Gills  contracted,  tufted,  composed  of  small  rounded  lobes,  at- 
tached to  the  gill-arches ;  pharyngeal  bones  reduced  in  number ; 
mouth  very  small,  toothless,  at  the  end  of  a  tubular  snout ;  post- 
temporal  grown  fast  to  skull ;  anterior  vertebrae  modified,  with  ex- 
panded apophyses;  gill  covers  reduced  to  a  simple  plate ;  skin  with 
bony  plates  arranged  in  rings ;  fins  small.  Two  families,  the  E. 
Indian  Solenostomatidcc  have  spinous  dorsal  and  ventral  fins ;  ours 
lack  both.  (Xo$o?,  tuft ;  fipdyxia,  gills.) 

FAMILY  XLIII.    SYNGNATHID^E.    (THE  PIPE-FISHES.) 

Body  elongate,  covered  with  bony  rings ;  gill  openings  reduced 

to  a  small  aperture  behind  upper  part  of  opercle  ;  no  spinous  dor- 


96  TELEOSTEI  :  HEMIBKANCHII.  —  XVIII. 

sal  nor  ventral  fins  ;  caudal  small  or  wanting  ;  anal  minute,  of  1  or 
2  rays  ;  tail  long.  Male  fishes  with  an  egg-pouch,  usually  placed 
on  under  side  of  tail  and  formed  of  two  folds  of  skin  which  meet  on 
the  median  line.  The  eggs  are  received  from  the  female  into  this 
pouch,  and  retained  for  some  time  after  hatching,  when  the  pouch 
opens  and  the  young,  then  £  to  £  inch  long,  escape.  Genera  about 
14  ;  species  150,  in  all  warm  seas,  (trvv,  together  ;  yvddoS)  jaw.) 


a.  Axis  of  head  in  a  line  with  axis  of  body.    (Syngnathince.) 
b.  Humeral  bones  united  below  ;  C.  present;  P.  well  developed;  D.  oppo- 
site vent;  shields  not  spinous  ........    SIPHOSTOMA,  105. 

aa.  Axis  of  head  forming  an  angle  with  axis  of  body  ;  the  head  and  neck 

horse-shaped,  or  like  that  of  a  "  Knight  "  at  chess.    (Hippocampince.) 
c.  Body  compressed  ;  occiput  with   a  narrow,   bony  crest,  surmounted 
by  a  star-shaped  coronet  ;  shields  tubercular  or  spinous  ;  egg-sac 
in  male  at  base  of  tail,  which  is  prehensile  and  without  fin. 

HIPPOCAMPUS,  106. 

105.  SIPHOSTOMA  Rafinesque.     PIPE-FISHES.    (<n'<£on/,  tube  ; 
oro/za,  mouth.) 

235.  S.  fuscum  (Storer).     COMMON  PIPE-FISH.    Top  of  head 
slightly  keeled  ;  D.  covering  4  body  rings  and  5  behind  vent  ;  rings 
18  to  20  -}-  36  to  40  ;  dorsal  rays  36  to  40  ;  snout  moderate.    Head 
9  ;  L.  7.     Olivaceous,  sides  mottled.     Newfoundland  to  Va.,  com- 
mon.    Numerous  other  species  occur  S.     (Lat.,  dusky.) 

106.  HIPPOCAMPUS  Rafinesque.     SEA  HORSES. 

(These  small  fishes  inhabit  grassy  bays  and  often  the  open  sea 
in  warm  regions.  They  are  wont  to  twist  the  very  prehensile  tail 
around  pieces  of  floating  sea-weed  or  eel-grass.  They  are  thus  often 
drifted  to  great  distances  in  the  sea.  The  species  are  very  simi- 
lar to  each  other,  and  not  easily  distinguished.)  (Ancient  name 
from  ITTTTOS,  horse,  and  /ca^Troy,  a  wriggling  creature.) 

236.  H.  hudsonius  DeKay.     SEA  HORSE.     Dusky,  unspotted, 
but  with  grayish  blotches,  edged  with  blackish  ;  D.  with  dark  band  ; 
snout  1|  in  head  ;  spines  on  head  weak,  with  cirri;  spines  all  blunt- 
ish.   D.  19,  on  3£  of  the  11  body  rings.     L.  6.     Cape  Cod  to  Fla., 
not  common.     Several  other  species  occur  S. 

ORDER  XVIII.     HEMIBBANCHII.     (THE   HALF-GILLED 
FISHES.) 

Gills  normal,  but  the  branchihyals  and  pharyngeals  reduced  in 
number  ;  V.  more  or  less  abdominal.  A  small  group  of  5  or  6  fam- 
ilies, intermediate  between  the  Lophobranchii  and  the  true  Acan- 
thopteri.  (jjfu-,  half;  /Spay^ta,  gills.) 


FISTULARIIDJE.  —  XLIV.  97 

FAMILY  XLIV.    FISTULARIID^EJ.     (THE  TRUMPET- 
FISHES.) 

Body  elongate;  naked,  with  some  bony  plates;  snout  produced 
in  a  long  dilatable  tube,  with  the  short  jaws  at  the  end;  teeth 
minute ;  no  spinous  dorsal ;  C.  forked,  its  middle  rays  produced  in 
a  long  filament ;  V.  small,  with  6  rays.  Tropical  seas ;  one  genus, 
3  species. 

107.  FISTULARIA  Linnaeus.     (Lai.,  fistula,  a  tube.) 

237.  P.  tabaccaria  L.      TRUMPET-FISH.     Brown,   with  blue 
spots.    Head  2|.    D.  14.    A.  13.     Warm  seas,  rarely  N.  to  N.  Y. 
(Lat.,  pertaining  to  tobacco-pipe.) 

FAMILY  XLV.  GASTEROSTEID^J.  (THE  STICKLEBACKS.) 

Body  elongate,  with  slender  tail,  naked  or  shielded  with  bony 
plates;  head  large,  compressed,  the  snout  not  tubular;  mouth 
moderate,  the  chin  prominent;  teeth  sharp,  in  jaws  only;  sub- 
orbital  large.  B.  3;  opercles  unarmed.  D.  with  2  to  15  free 
spines;  A.  with  one  spine;  V.  subabdominal,  I,  1.  P.  short,  well 
behind  gill  openings,  preceded  by  an  area  covered  with  smooth 
skin.  Genera  5,  species  about  20,  in  fresh  and  brackish  waters  of 
Northern  regions ;  small  fishes,  lively,  greedy  and  quarrelsome, 
and  exceedingly  destructive  to  the  spawn  of  large  fishes.  Most 
of  them  build  nests,  which  they  defend  with  much  spirit. 

a.  Innominate  bones  joined,  forming  a  median  plate  on  belly,  behind  V. 
b.  Gill  membranes  joined,  their  border  free  from  isthmus ;  spines  small. 
c.  Dorsal  spines  7  to  11,  divergent;  pubic  bones  long,  weak,  widely  di- 
vergent; body  slender,  mostly  naked.       .    .     .    PYGOSTEUS,  108. 
cc.  Dorsal  spines  5,  in  right  line;  pubic  bones  short,  widely  divergent; 

body  stout,  naked EUCALIA,  109. 

bb.  Gill  membranes  not  free  from  isthmus;  dorsal  spines  3  or  4,  strong, 
divergent;  pubic  bones  broad,  little  divergent;  form  robust;  skin 

usually  mailed GASTEROSTEUS,  110. 

aa.  Innominate  bones  not  joined,  each  extending  as  a  strong  process  under 
skin,  outside  of  V.,  the  area  between  them  flat  and  not  bony ;  pubic  bones 
weak;  dorsal  spines  4,  divergent;  gill  membranes  joined  to  isthmus; 
tail  very  slender ;  skin  smooth APELTES,  111. 

108.  PYGOSTEUS  Brevoort.     (Trvyj?,  rump  ;  oore'oi/,  bone.) 

238.  P.  pungitius  (L).     NIXE-SPINED  STICKLEBACK.    Olivace- 
ous, punctulate  and  irregularly  barred  with  black.    Tail  keeled ;  eye 
large.    Head  4;  depth  5  to  6.    D.  IX -I,  9.   A.  I,  8.    L.  2£.    New 
York  to  L.  Mich.,  N.  to  Greenland,  in  fresh  waters  and  entering 
sea.     (En.}     (Lat.,  pungent.) 

109.  EUCALIA  Jordan,     (fv,  good;  /coXta,  nest.) 

239.  E.  inconstans  (Kirtland).     BROOK  STICKLEBACK.     $  in 
spring  jet  black,  reddish-tinged ;   9  olivaceous,  mottled  and  dotted, 

7 


98  TELEOSTEl:  PERCESOCES. —  XIX. 

no  dermal  plates,  the  bones  and  spines  all  feeble;  tail  keeled.  Head 
8J;  depth  4.  D.  IV -I,  10.  A.  I,  10.  L.  2£.  K  Y.  to  Kansas 
and  Greenland,  abundant  N.  W.  in  small  brooks;  S.  to  Greensburg, 
Ind.  (Shannon.)  Var.  cayuga  Jordan  (W.  N.  Y.)  has  V.  spines 
longer,  longer  than  innnominate  bones,  and  other  trifling  differences. 

110.  GASTEROSTEUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus. 
(ycHrnip,  belly;  ooreov,  bone.) 

a.  Sides  partly  covered  with  bony  plates,  the  tail  naked. 
b.  Lateral  plates  2  to  7. 
c.  Ventral  spine  without  cusp  at  base;  lateral  plates  2  or  3. 

240.  G.  wheatlandi  Putnam.      No  mucous  pores;    tail  com- 
pressed.   Blackish.    D.  II,  I,  10  to  12.    A.  1,8.     Cape  Cod,  N. 
scarce.     (To  Dr.  Richard  H.  Wheatland,  of  Salem,  Mass.) 

cc.  Ventral  spine  with  a  strong  cusp  at  base    behind;  lateral  plates 
about  7. 

241.  G.  gymnurus   Cuvier.      Tail  keeled.      Grayish,   dotted. 
D.  II,  I,  12.   A.  I,  8.    L.  2£.    Newfoundland  to  Greenland,  etc. 
(G.  dimidiatus  Reinhardt.)     (Eu.}    (yvpvos,  naked;  oupd,  tail.) 

bb.  Lateral  plates  15 ;  tail  keeled. 

242.  G.  atkinsii  Bean.     Slender;  V.  long.     Head  31;  depth 5. 
D.  II,  I,  11.     A.  I,  8.    L.  l£.    Maine.     (To  Charles  G.  Atkins, 
Fish  Commissioner  of  Maine.) 

aa.  Sides  entirely  covered  with  (28  to  33),  bony  plates;  tail  keeled;  V.  spine 
with  cusp  at  base. 

243.  G.  aculeatus  L.     COMMON  STICKLEBACK.     Olivaceous, 
sides  silvery ;  back  dotted ;  opercles  striate  ;  rugose  plates  at  base 
of  spines;  spines  serrate.    Head  3£;  depth  4£.    D.  II -I,  13.    A. 
I,  9.    L.  4.     N.  Y.  to  Greenland  and  Europe,  abundant,  variable. 
(En.}     Perhaps  all  the  preceding  are  forms  or  varieties  of  this. 
(Lat.,  bearing  prickles.) 

111.  APELTES  DeKay.     (a,  privative  ;  irfXrr),  shield. 

244.  A.  quadracus  (Mitchill).      Olive,  mottled;  males  nearly 
black,  the  V.  red  in  spring ;  body  plump,  with  long  slender  tail ; 
skin  naked.     Head  4;  depth  4.     D.  Ill,  I,  11.     A.  I,  8.     L.  2. 
N.  J.  to  Labrador ;  abundant  along  coast.     (Lat.,  four-spined.) 

ORDER  XIX.    PERCESOCES. 

This  group  comprises  Physoclysti,  which  have  the  general  char- 
acters of  the  great  group  of  Acanthopteri,  but  in  which  the  ventral 
fins  are  abdominal,  the  pelvic  bone  not  being  attached  to  the 
shoulder-girdle.  Scales  cycloid,  opercles  unarmed.  The  spinous 
dorsal  is  short  and  sometimes  (Ophiocephalid<x)  wanting.  (Lat., 


.  —  XLVI.  V     99 

N^ 

Perca,   perch ;    Esox,  pike  ;    intermediate    between  Pikes    and 
Perches.) 

FAMILY  XLVI.    MUGrlLID^.     (THE  MULLETS.) 

Body  oblong,  with  large  cycloid  scales ;  no  lateral  line ;  mouth 
small,  nearly  toothless;  upper  jaw  protractile;  gill  membranes  free 
from  isthmus ;  gill  rakers  long,  slender ;  pseudobranchiae  large. 
Dorsals  separate,  the  anterior  with  four  spines  ;  anal  similar  to  soft 
dorsal,  its  spines  2  or  3.  Air-bladder  large;  intestinal  canal  long; 
vertebrae  11  -f-  13  =  24.  Genera  5,  species  75;  in  fresh  waters 
and  seas  of  warm  regions,  feeding  on  mud. 

a.  Jaws  with  tooth-like  cilia;  stomach  muscular,  gizzard-like;  anal  spines  3. 

MUGIL,  112. 

112.   MUGIL  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Ancient  name  from  mulgeo, 

to  suck.) 

a.  Adipose  eyelid  well  developed.    (Mugil.) 
b.  Soft  D.  and  A.  nearly  naked;  A.  Ill,  8. 

245.  M.  cephalus  L.    STRIPED  MULLET.    COMMON  MULLET. 
Silvery,  darker  above ;   dark  stripes  along  the  rows  of  scales ;  a 
dusky  blotch  on  base  P.     Head  4  ;  depth  4.     D.  IV  -  I,  8.    Scales 
40-13.     L.  24.     Warm  seas  ;   common  N.  to  Cape  Cod.  ascending 
streams.     (M.  albula  L.)     (Eu.)     (An  old  name,   from  Kec/mAjJ, 
head.) 

bb.  Soft  D.  and  A.  scaly;  A.  Ill,  9. 

246.  M.  curema  Cuv.  &  VaL    WHITE  MULLET.    BLUE-BACK 
MULLET.     LIZA.     Silvery ;   scales  without  dark  stripes ;   a  dark 
spot  at  base  P. ;  P.  not  nearly  reaching  D.     Head  4  ;  depth  4. 
D.  IV -I,  8.     Scales  38-12.     L.  18.    Warm  seas,  N".  to  Cape  Cod, 
scarce  N.    {M.  brasiliensis  Giinther,  not  of  Agassiz.)    (A  Brazilian 
name.) 

FAMILY  XLVII.    ATHERINID^l.     (THE  SILVERSIDES.) 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  with  cycloid  scales  ;  no  lateral  line  ; 
mouth  moderate  ;  teeth  small ;  opercles  unarmed  ;  gill  membranes 
free ;  pseudobranchias  present ;  gill  rakers  slender.  Dorsals  well 
separated,  the  first  of  3  to  8  slender  spines  ;  A.  similar  to  soft  D., 
with  one  spine  ;  V.  I,  5 ;  air-bladder  present ;  vertebras  numerous. 
Genera  8 ;  species  50,  fishes  living  in  schools  along  coasts  of  warm 
regions,  a  few  in  rivers,  (ddfpivrj,  the  old  name  from  a^p,  a  dart.) 

a.  Premaxillaries  freely  protractile ;  their  posterior  end  broad ;  teeth  in  bands. 

none  on  vomer;  a  silvery  band  along  side. 

b.  Jaws  both  short,  the  upper  scarcely  longer  than  eye. .    .    MENIDIA,  113- 

bb.  Jaws  both  produced  in  a  short  beak ;  the  upper  about  half  longer  than 

eye LABIDESTHES,  114. 


100        TELEOSTEI :  PERCESOCES.  —  XIX. 

113.  MENIDIA  Bonaparte.    (An  old  name,  from  fuprq,  moon.) 
a.  Scales  entire;  soft  D.  and  A.  naked. 
b.  Anal  rather  long,  its  rays  I,  22,  to  I,  25. 

247.  M.  notata  (Mitchill).     COMMON  SILVERSIDE.      FRIAR. 
Body   slender ;   transparent  green ;    scales    speckled.      Head   5 ; 
depthG.     D.  IV -I,  8.     Scales  46-10.     L.  5.     Maine  to  Va.,  very 
common  N.     (Lat.,  marked.) 

bb.  Anal  rather  short,  I,  15,  to  1, 18. 

248.  M.  beryllina  (Cope).     First  D.  over  vent,  nearer  base  C. 
than  snout.     Head  4£ ;  depth  6.     D.  "V-I,  11."     L.  2&.     Poto- 
mac B,.,  only  the  type  known.     (Lat.,  beryl-color.) 

aa.  Scales  with  ragged  edges  especially  on  back ;  soft  D.  and  A.  scaly. 

249.  M.  laciniata  Swain.    Green ;  back  with  dark  points  form- 
ing streaks  along  rows  of  scales.    Head  4|;  depth  5£.    D.  IV -I,  8. 
A.  I,  19  to  I,  21.     Scales  50-7.     L.  5.     Va.  to  S.  C. ;  probably  a 
var.  of  M.  vagrans  Goode  &  Bean,  S.  C.  to  Texas,  which  has  A.  I, 
14  to  I,  18.     (Lat.,  gashed.) 

114.  LABIDESTHES  Cope.     (Aa/3/y,  a  pair  of  forceps; 
eV0t&>,  to  eat.) 

250.  L.  sicculus   Cope.      BROOK   SILVERSIDE.      Translucent 
green,  back  dotted ;  silver  band  very  distinct ;  body  very  slender ; 
scales  entire.    Head  4^ ;  depth  6.    D.  IV -I,  11.    A.  I,  23.    Lat.  1. 
75.     L.  3£.     Mich,  to  Perdido  Bay  and  Kans.,  abundant  in  quiet 
•waters ;  a  most  graceful  little  fish.     (Lat.,  dry,  t.  e.  found  in  half- 
dry  pools.) 

FAMILY  XL VIII.    SPHYRMNID.^!.    (THE  BARRACUDAS.) 

Body  elongate,  subterete,  with  small,  cycloid  scales.  Head  very 
long,  pointed  ;  mouth  large,  with  unequal  teeth,  some  of  them  very 
large  ;  lower  jaw  projecting,  a  very  strong  tooth  at  tip ;  gill  rakers 
obsolete ;  gill  openings  wide  ;  lateral  line  present ;  air-bladder 
large;  P.  short;  V.  I,  5.  Dorsals  separate,  the  first  with  5  stout 
spines  ;  A.  with  one  spine  ;  C.  forked ;  vertebras  24.  One  genera 
with  15  species;  voracious  pike-like  fishes  of  warm  seas,  some  of 
them  very  large,  all  excellent  as  food. 

115.   SFHYRffiNA  (Artedi)  Bloch.      (Ancient  name,  from 

o-$Cpa,  hammer.) 
a.  Scales  small,  130  to  150  in  lateral  line. 

251.  S.  borealis  DeKay.      LITTLE  BARRACUDA.     Olivaceous, 
silvery  below  ;  young  with  dusky  blotches ;  P.  not  nearly  reaching 
D. ;  maxillary  not  nearly  to  eye.     Head  3  ;   depth  8.     D.  V-I,  9. 
A.  I,  9.     L.  12.     Cape  Cod  to  Va.,  not  rare  N.     (Lat.,  northern.) 


AMMODYTIRffl.  —  XLIX.  101 

aa.  Scales  moderate,  about  110  in  lateral  line. 

252.  S.  guachancho  Cuv.  &  Val.     P.  about  reaching  spinous 
D.     Head  3£  ;  depth  7.     D.  V-I,  9.     A.  I,  8.     L.  24.     West 
Indies,  rarely  N.     (The  Spanish  name.) 

We  place  next  a  family  of  uncertain  relationship. 

FAMILY  XLIX.    AMMODYTID^S-     (THE  SAND  LANCES.) 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  with  small,  cycloid  scales ;  lateral  line 
along  side  of  back ;  mouth  large,  toothless,  the  chin  projecting ;  up- 
per jaw  very  protractile ;  gill  membranes  separate,  free ;  gill  rakers 
long  and  slender ;  pseudobranchiae  large ;  D.  long  and  low,  of  soft 
rays  only ;  A.  similar,  shorter ;  C.  forked ;  no  ventrals ;  P.  low. 
No  air-bladder.  Vertebrae  63.  Genera  4  ;  species  8.  Small  fishes 
swimming  in  large  schools,  and  burying  themselves,  by  a  quick  move- 
ment, in  sand.  Coasts  of  N.  regions.  The  relations  of  the  family 
are  still  uncertain.  They  may  be  Anacanthini,  Percesoces,  or  pos- 
sibly allies  of  the  Scombroids.  In  many  regards,  especially  the  struc- 
ture of  the  gills,  they  resemble  Sphyrcena. 

a.  Body  with  many  transverse  oblique  folds ;  a  fold  of  skin  along  edge  of 
belly ;  vomer  unarmed AMMODYTES,  116. 

116.  AMMODYTES  (Artedi)  Linnaeus,    (a/z/ios,  sand ;  8vo>,  dive.) 

253.  A.  tobianus  L.     SAND  LANCE.     LANT.     Olivaceous;   a 
steely  lateral  stripe;  P.  reaching  front  of  D.     Head  4|;  depth  10. 
D.  60.    A.  28.    Lateral  folds  125  to  130.    L.  6.    North  Atlantic  and 
Pacific,  S.  to  N.  J. ;  common  N.    (Eu?)     The  American  form  (var. 
americanus  DeKay)  has  dorsal  beginning  a  trifle  further  back.    (An 
old  name,  unexplained.) 

ORDER    XX.     ACANTHOPTERI.     (THE    SPINY-RAYED 
FISHES.) 

This  order  contains  the  great  bulk  of  the  spiny-rayed  fishes,  and 
includes  a  far  greater  variety  of  forms  than  any  other  of  the  so- 
called  orders.  In  all,  the  ventrals,  if  present,  are  thoracic,  or  jugular, 
normally  I,  5,  the  opercles  and  pharyngeals  are  well  developed,  the 
gills  normal,  usually  4  in  number,  and  the  premaxillary  forming  the 
whole  border  of  the  mouth.  Usually  the  anterior  rays  of  D.  and  A. 
are  simple  or  spine-like.  (aKavBa,  spine ;  irrcp6v,  fin.) 

The  various  suborders  of  this  group  have  not  yet  been  fully  de- 
fined or  generally  adopted.  The  following  ten,  of  varying  value, 
may  be  recognized  for  the  fishes  discussed  in  the  present  work  : 
Discocephali,  Scombnformes,  Perciformes,  Pharyngognathi,  Epe~ 
lasmia,  Cataphracti,  Haplodoci,  Xenopterygii,  Scyphobranchiit  and 
Anacanthini. 


102  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTEEI.  —  XX. 

DISCOCEPH ALL  —  Of  these  various  suborders,  we  notice  first 
the  DISCOCEPHALI,  a  small  group  characterized  by  a  singular  modi- 
fication of  the  dorsal  fin. 

FAMILY  L.  ECHENEIDID^S.  (THE  REMORAS.) 
Body  fusiform,  elongate,  with  minute  smooth  scales ;  mouth  wide, 
with  villiform  teeth ;  lower  jaw  projecting.  Spinous  dorsal  changed 
into  a  sucking  disk  placed  on  top  of  head  and  composed  of  a  double 
series  of  transverse  movable  cartilaginous  plates.  Opercles  un- 
armed, P.  placed  high.  V.  I,  5.  D.  and  A.  long,  similar ;  gill- 
rakers  short ;  no  pseudobranchiae ;  no  air-bladder.  Vertebrae  more 
than  24.  Genera  3,  species  10.  Of  the  open  seas,  attaching  them- 
selves to  sharks,  sword-fishes,  tunnies,  and  floating  objects,  and  thus 
carried  for  great  distances  in  the  sea.  The  relationships  of  this 
group  are  still  uncertain.  Their  resemblance  to  Elacate  is  such  that 
they  apparently  should  not  be  placed  very  far  away  from  the  next 
family, 
a.  Body  slender;  vertebrae  14  + 16  =  30 ;  disk  of  21  to  25  laminae ;  not  more 

than  J  body ECHEXEIS,  117. 

aa.  Body  robust;  vertebrae  12  +  15=27;  disk  more  than  J  body,  of  16  to  18 
laminae. 

b.  Pectoral  rays  normal,  soft REMORA,  118. 

bb.  Pectoral  rays  stiff,  broad,  ossified RHOMBOCHIRUS,  119. 

117.  ECHENEIS  (Artedi)   Linnaeus,     (e^fi^ty,  an  ancient  name 

meaning  one  who  holds  ships  back.) 

254.  E.  naucrates  L.     SUCKING-FISH.    PEGADOR.    Blackish, 
belly  dark ;  a  black  lateral  stripe  ;   corners  of  C.  pale.     Head  5£ ; 
disk  3f ,  shorter  than  D. ;  width  between  P.  1\ .     D.  XXI  to  XXV  - 
32  to  41.     A.  32  to  38.     L.  30.     Warm  seas.     N.  to  Cape  Cod; 
the  commonest  species,  on  sharks,  etc.     (Eu.).     (vavKpdrrjs,  pilot.) 

118.  REMORA  Gill.     (Ancient  name,  meaning  one  who  holds 

back.) 

a.  Dorsal  about  XVIII -23.    (Remora.) 

255.  R.  remora  (L.).     REMORA.     SUCKING-FISH.     Uniform 
dusky ;  head  4 ;  disk  2|,  longer  than  D. ;  width  between  P.  5  J.    A. 
25.     L.  12.     Warm  seas,  N.  to  N.  Y.     (Eu.) 

aa.  Dorsal  about  XVI  -  30.     (Remoropsis  Gill.) 

256.  R.  brachyptera  (Lowe).     SWORD-FISH  REMORA.    Light 
brown.    Head  4 ;    disk  shorter  than  dorsal ;  width  between  P.  6£. 
A.  26.     Warm  seas,  rarely  N. ;  on   sword-fish,     (ftpaxys,  short ; 
irrepov,  fin.) 

119.  RHOMBOCHIRUS  Gill.     (po>£os,  rhomb;  Xeip,  hand.) 

257.  R.  osteochir  (Cuvier).      SPEAR-FISH   REMORA.      Li^ht 
brown ;  mouth  small ;   disk  very  large.     Head  5 ;  disk  2^ ;   width 


ELACATID^E.  —  LI.  103 

between  P.  5.     D.  XVIII -21.     A.  20.     W.  I.,  rare  N.     (oore'oi/, 
bone;  jfctp,  hand.) 

The  position  of  the  next  family  is  still  uncertain.  Common 
opinion  places  it  between  the  Remoras  and  the  mackerel-like  fishes. 

FAMILY  LI.    ELACATID-3!j.     (THE  COBIAS.) 

Body  elongate,  fusiform,  with  very  small,  smooth  scales;  head 
long,  low ;  mouth  moderate ;  jaws  with  bands  of  small  teeth ;  chin 
projecting ;  lateral  line  present,  wavy.  Dorsal  spines  about  9,  low, 
all  separate ;  second  D.  and  A.  long ;  two  weak  anal  spines ;  V.  1, 5. 
C.  forked ;  no  air-bladder ;  no  sucking  disk ;  pyloric  caeca  branched. 
One  species,  in  all  warm  seas. 

120.  ELACATE  Cuvier.     gXajcany,  spindle.) 

258.  E.  Canada  (L.).     COBIA;  CRAB-EATER;  SERGEANT-FISH. 
Dusky,  sides  with  a  broad  black  band.    Head  4^ ;  depth  5f ;  D.  IX, 
33.     A.  II,  25.     L.  5  feet.     Warm  seas,  N.  in  summer. 

We  now  begin  the  great  series  or  suborder  of  SCOMBRIFORMES 
or  mackerel-like  fishes,  with  one  of  the  most  aberrant  members  of 
the  group. 

FAMILY  LII.    XIPHIID^S-    (THE  SWORD-FISHES). 

Body  elongate,  naked ;  bones  of  upper  jaw  consolidated  into  a 
long  stiff  "  sword  " ;  teeth  disappearing  with  age ;  D.  long,  without 
distinct  spines,  the  rays  enveloped  in  the  skin ;  the  fin  divided  into 
two  in  the  adult ;  A.  similarly  divided ;  tail  slender,  keeled ;  C. 
widely  forked ;  V.  wanting.  Gills  peculiar,  the  laminae  of  each 
arch  joined  in  one  plate  by  reticulations ;  air-bladder  simple ;  py- 
loric caeca  numerous.  Vertebrae  short,  the  neural  and  haemal  spines 
normal ;  ribs  very  few.  One  species,  a  very  large  fish  of  the  open 
sea,  much  valued  as  food. 

121.  XIPHIAS  Linnasus.     (£i<£/aff,  ancient  name  from  £i(j)os, 
sword.) 

259.  X.  gladius  L.     SWORD-FISH.     Dark  bluish.    Head  2J; 
depth  5£;  snout  3.    D.40-4.    A.  18-14.   L.  15  feet  or  more.    Open 
sea,  N.  to  Nova  Scotia.     (Eu.)     (Lat ;  sword.) 

FAMILY  LIII.    ISTIOPHORIDuE.     (THE  SAIL-FISHES.) 

Similar  to  the  Sword-fishes,  but  with  rudimentary  scales,  small  per- 
sistent teeth,  and  ventral  fins  of  1  or  2  rays ;  air-bladder  sacculated  ; 
rays  of  fins  distinct,  not  embedded  in  skin.  Vertebrae  "elongate 
hour-glass-shaped ;  neural  and  haemal  spines  flag-like ;  ribs  well-de- 
veloped." Two  genera,  with  5  species.  These  are  smaller  than 
the  Sword-Jishes,  but  similar  in  character  and  habits. 


104  TELEOSTEI  :  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

a.  Ventral  rays  united  into  one  ;  D.  low  ......    TETBAPTURUS,  122. 

aa.  Ventral  rays  2  or  3;  D.  very  high  .......      ISTIOPHORUS,  123. 

122.  TBTRAPTURUS  Rafinesque.     (rcrpa-,  four  ;  TrrepoV,  fin; 
ovpd,  tail.) 

260.  T.  albidus  Poey.     SPEAR-FISH.    BILL-FISH.    Blue-black; 
head  (with  sword)  2|;  depth  7J.    D.  Ill,  39-6.    A.  II,  13-6.    L.  8 
feet.     W.  L,  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Lat.,  white.) 

123.  ISTIOPHORUS  Lacepede.     (lariov,  sail  ;  <£ope'o>,  to  bear.) 

261.  I.  americanus  Cuv.  &  Val.     SAIL-FISH.     SPIKE-FISH. 
Bluish-black;  dorsal  very  high,  its  membrane   with  round  black 
spots.     Sword,  from  eye,  2f  times  rest  of  head,  nearly  twice  as 
broad  as  deep.     Head  2£  ;  depth  6.    D.  XLI  -  7.    A.  9-7.    L.  6  to 
8  feet.    Warm  seas,  N.  to  Cape  Cod. 

FAMILY  LIV.    TRIOHIURID^J.    (THE  SCABBARD-FISHES.) 

Fishes  closely  related  to  the  Scombridce,  but  having  the  vertebrae 
very  numerous,  and  the  dorsal  fin  long  and  low,  its  spines  and  soft 
rays  indistinguishable  from  each  other,  and  without  finlets.  Ven- 
tral fins  rudimentary  or  wanting.  Genera  6  ;  species  about  15,  in 
the  warm  seas. 

a.  No  caudal  fin;  tail  tapering  to  a  point;  no  ventrals;  teeth  very  strong, 
unequal,  some  of  them  barbed  .........    TKICHIURUS,  124. 


124.  TRICHIURUS  Linnaeus.     (rpi^iov,  a  little  hair  ; 

ovpd,  tail.) 

262.  T.  lepturus  L.  SCABBARD-FISH.  CUTLASS-FISH.  SIL- 
VER EEL.  Silvery,  D.  dark-edged  ;  snout  long  ;  lower  jaw  longer. 
Head  7£;  depth  16.  D.  135.  A.  very  low,  100.  Warm  sea,  N.  to 
N.  Y.  (XCTTTOS,  thin  ;  ovpd,  tail.) 

FAMILY  LV.    SCOMBRID-ffl.    (THE  MACKERELS. 

Body  subfusiform  or  compressed,  with  small  cycloid  scales,  those 
at  the  shoulders  sometimes  enlarged,  forming  a  corselet  ;  lateral  line 
present.  Head  pointed  ;  mouth  large,  not  protractile  ;  teeth  sharp, 
large  or  small  ;  opercles  unarmed  ;  gill  openings  very  wide  ;  pseudo- 
branchiae  large.  Dorsals  two,  the  first  of  slender  spines,  the  second 
usually  followed  by  detached  finlets  ;  tail  slender,  keeled,  its  fin 
widely  forked  ;  V.  thoracic  I,  5.  Vertebrae  in  increased  number,  30 
to  70  ;  pyloric  caeca  many.  Coloration  metallic,  the  sexes  similar. 
Genera  about  1  7  ;  species  about  70.  Fishes  of  the  high  seas,  many 
of  them  cosmopolitan,  coming  to  northern  shores  to  spawn,  and 
often  irregular  in  their  visits.  Most  of  them  are  valued  as  food, 
but  the  red,  oily  flesh  of  some  is  very  coarse. 


SCOMBRID^l.  —  LV.  105 

c.  Finlets  present  (5  to  10  in  number)  behind  D.  and  A. ;  dorsal  spines  less 

than  25.     (Scombrince.) 

b.  Caudal  peduncle  with  median  keel,  a  small  keel  above  and  below  this. 
c.  Body  wholly  covered  with  small  scales,  those  on  the  "corselet "  and 

lateral  line  sometimes  larger;  vertebrae  normal. 

d .  Teeth  of  jaws  strong,  subtriangular,  more  or  less  compressed ;  teeth 
on  vomer  and  palatines  villiform;  gill  rakers  few;  corselet  ob- 
scure; dorsal  spines  14  to  18;  body  compressed;  head  short; 

vertebrae  45 SCOMBEROMORUS,  125. 

dd.  Teeth  of  jaws  subconic,  scarcely  compressed;  gill  rakers  numerous ; 

corselet  distinct. 
e.  Vomer  toothless ;  palatines  with  one  row  of  strong  conical  teeth ; 

body  elongate ;  vertebrae  about  52 SARDA,  126. 

ee.  Vomer  and  palatines  with  sand-like  teeth;  body  robust;  vertebrae 

40 ALBACORA,  127. 

cc.  Body  scaleless,  excepting  on  corselet  and  about  lateral  line;  abdo- 
minal vertebrae  with  enlarged  foramina  and  a  trellis-like  structure 
between  the  vertebra  proper  and  the  haemapophyses ;  vertebras 
about  38. 

f.  Dorsals  close  together,  the  interspace  about  5  in  head ;  palatine 

teeth  villiform;  no  teeth  on  vomer.  .    .     GYMNOSARDA,  128. 

ff.  Dorsals  well  separated,  the  interspace  more  than  half  head; 

teeth  small,   on  vomer  and  not  on  palatines;    gill  rakers 

numerous Auxis,  129. 

bb.  Caudal  peduncle  without  median  keel  (the  two  lesser  keels  present  as 
usual);  dorsals  well  separated,  the  interspace  more  than  half  head; 
spino us  dorsal  short;  body  scaly;  corselet  obsolete;  vertebrae  normal, 
about  31,  in  number;  teeth  slender,  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines; 
gill  rakers  long,  numerous SCOMBER,  130. 

125.  SCOMBEROMORUS  Lacepede.     (o7cd>j3poff,  Scomber; 

6/iopos,  near.) 
a.  Gill  rakers  short,  thick,  less  than  X  +  8 ;  dorsal  spines  14  or  15. 

263.  S.  cavalla  (Cuvier).     KING-FISH.     Lateral  line  abruptly 
bent  below  soft  D.     Iron  gray,  nearly  plain  ;  spinous  D.  not  black. 
Head  5 ;   depth  6.     D.  XV -15 -VIII.     A.  II-15-VIH.     L.  6. 
W.  Indies,  rarely  N.,  a  fine  food-fish.     (Spanish,  horse.) 

aa.  Gill  rakers  rather  long  and  slender,  more  than  X  -f-  8 ;  dorsal  spines  17 
or  18;  lateral  line  wavy,  not  abruptly  bent;  teeth  strong;  spinous  dor- 
sal largely  black. 

b.  Side  with  one  or  two  narrow  blackish  stripes  breaking  up  posteriorly 
into  irregular  spots ;  similar  spots  usually  present  below  these. 

264.  S.  regalis  (Bloch).     SIERRA.     PINTADO.     Teeth  40  in 
each  jaw;  snout  bluntish.     Head  4J;  depth  4^.     D.  XVIII -16- 
VIII.    A.  II-14-VIH.     L.  2^  feet.     W.  Indies,  rarely  N. 

bb.  Sides  with  numerous  round  bronze  spots,  but  never  with  dark  longitu- 
dinal stripe. 

265.  S.  maculatus  (Mitchill).     SPANISH  MACKEREL.    Bluish 
above,  sides  silvery ;  teeth  about  30  in  each  jaw ;    snout  pointed. 


106  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

Head  4f;  depths.  D.  XVIII -17 -IX.  A.  II-18-VIIL  L.  2£ 
feet.  Tropical  America,  N.  in  summer,  a  favorite  food  fish.  (Lat., 
spotted.) 

126.  SARDA  Cuvier.     (Lat.  name,  from  Sardinia,  where  it 
abounds.) 

266.  S.  sarda  (Bloch.)    BONITO.    Steel-blue,  with  several  black- 
ish streaks  obliquely  downward  and  forward  from  back.     Head  3f ; 
depth  4£.     D.  XXI -1,13 -VII.    A.  11-13- VII.     L.  4  feet.     At- 
lantic, abundant  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Eu.) 

127.  ALB  AC  OR  A  Jordan  (gen.  nov.) 

(Orcynus  and  Thynnus  Cuvier,  both  names  preoccupied.)   (Albacore, 
a  word  said  to  be  of  Moorish  origin.) 

a.  Pectoral  fins  short,  about  reaching  9th  dorsal  spine,  and  6  to  7  in  body. 
(Albacora.) 

267.  A.  thynnus  (L.).    GREAT  TUNNY.    ALBACORE.    Very  ro- 
bust.   Dark  blue,  dusky  below  with  obscure  paler  spots.    Head  3| ; 
depth  4.     D.  XIV- 1,  12- VIII.    A.  II -12- VIII.    L.  12  to  15 
feet.     Atlantic,  everywhere,  one  of  the  largest  of  fishes,  sometimes 
reaching  1500  Ibs.     (Qvvvos,  tunny.)     (EuS) 

128.  GYMNOSARDA  Gill.     (Euihynnus  Llitken.) 

(•yu/wfe,  naked ;  Sarda.) 
a.  Lateral  line  abruptly  curved  behind  second  dorsal. 

268.  G.  pelamis  (L.).     OCEANIC  BONITO.    Bluish ;  four  brown 
stripes  on  each  side  of  belly.     Head  3£ ;  depth  4.     D.  XV- 12- 
VIII.   A.  12 -VII.   Atlantic,  scarce,  W.    (Eu.)    (TreXa/ivs,  tunny.) 
aa.  Lateral  line  without  abrupt  curve. 

269.  G.  alletterata  (Rafinesque).    LITTLE  BONITO.    Bluish;  no 
stripes  on  lower  parts ;  several  oblique  wavy  dark  streaks  above 
lateral  line,  about  5  blackish  spots  below  P.     Head  3| ;  depth  4£. 
D.  XV  - 1 2  -  VIII.     A .  1 2  -  VII.    L.  2£  feet.    Warm  seas,  rarely 
N.     (Eu.)     (From  alletteratu,  the  Sicilian  name.) 

129.  AUXIS  Cuvier.     (ai>£is,  a  young  tunny.) 

270.  A.  thazard  (Lace'pede).      FRIGATE  MACKEREL.     Blue, 
somewhat  mottled  with  darker.     Head  4;  depth  4^.     D.  X-12- 
VIII.     A.  18 -VII.     L.  18.     Warm  seas,  occasional  schools  on 
our  coast.     (Eu.}     (From  tassard,  the  French  name.) 

130.  SCOMBER  (Artedi)  Linnaeus,     (cr/coju/3/jos,  Scomber, 

mackerel.) 
o.  Air  bladder  none ;  top  of  head  without  translucent  area.    (Scomber.) 

271.  S.    scombrus    L.      COMMON   MACKEREL.      Dark   blue 
above,  silvery  below,  the  lower   parts  unmarked;   eye  moderate; 


CARANGHLE.  —  LVL  107 

back  with  about  35  dark  wavy  stripes.  Head  3 ;  depth  3£.  D. 
XI-12-V.  A.  12 -V.  L.  2  feet.  Atlantic,  everywhere  abundant, 
one  of  the  best  known  of  food  fishes. 

66.  Air  bladder  small;  top  of  head  with  a  translucent  area.    (Pneuma- 
tophorus  Jordan  &  Gilbert.) 

272.  S.  colias  Gmelin.  CHUB-MACKEREL.  THIMBLE  EYE. 
Dark  blue ;  sides  soiled  silvery,  in  the  adult  showing  dusky  cloud- 
ings ;  back  with  about  30  dark  wavy  streaks,  extending  to  just  below 
the  lateral  line ;  eye  large.  Head  3  ;  depth  3  J.  D.  IX  or  X  - 1 2  -  V. 
A.  12- V.  L.  12.  Warm  seas,  not  rare  N.,  a  food  fish  of  much 
less  value  than  the  mackerel.  (£Jw.)  (/coAiay,  old  name  of  some 
mackerel.) 

FAMILY  LVI.    CARANGIDu33.    (THE  POMPANOS.) 

Fishes  closely  allied  to  the  Mackerels,  but  with  the  vertebrse  in 
moderate  number,  about  25.  Anal  fin  always  preceded  by  two 
spines,  which  sometimes  disappear  with  old  age;  finlets  usually 
few  or  none.  Teeth  all  small.  Coloration  usually  metallic  silvery. 
Genera,  25  ;  species  180;  in  all  warm  seas;  most  of  them  excellent 
as  food, 
a.  Premaxillaries  not  proctractile  (except  in  the  very  young);  soft  dorsal 

similar  to  anal,  both  very  long.     (Scombroidince.) 
6.  Maxillary  without  supplemental  bone ;  no  pterygoid  teeth :  scales  linear, 

imbedded OUGOPL.ITES,  131. 

aa.  Premaxillaries  protractile. 

c.  Pectoral  fins  long,  falcate ;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal,  its  base  longer 

than  abdomen;  maxillary  with  supplemental  bone.    (Carangirwe.) 
d.  Dorsal  outline  not  less  curved  than  ventral. 
e.  D.  and  A.  each  with  one  free  finlet;  body  slender. 

DECAPTERUS,  132. 
ee.  D.  and  A.  without  finlets. 
f.  Lateral  line  with  well  developed  scutes  for  its  entire  length. 

TBACHURUS,  133. 

ff.  Lateral  line  with  scutes  on  its  straight  posterior  portion  only 
(these  sometimes  few  and  small  in  species  with  the  body 

compressed). 
g.  Shoulder  girdle  with  a  deep  cross-furrow  at  its  junction  with 

the  isthmus ;  body  oblong TRACHUROPS,  134. 

gg.  Shoulder  girdle  normal. 
h.  Body  oblong  or  moderately  elevated,  not  as  below. 

CARANX,  135. 

hh.  Body  oblong-ovate,  very  strongly  compressed,   its  out- 
lines all  trenchant,  the  anterior  profile  vertical;  scutes 

almost  obsolete VOMER,  136. 

fff.  Lateral  line  without  any  scutes  anywhere;  body  short  and 

elevated,  strongly  compressed SELENE,  137. 

dd..  Dorsal  outline  less  strongly  curved  than  ventral ;  body  compressed, 
with  trenchant  outlines;  scutes  of  lateral  line  obsolete. 

CHL.OKOSCOMBKUS,  138. 


108  TELEOSTEI  :  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

cc.  Pectoral  fins  short,  not  falcate. 

i.  Maxillary  without  supplemental  bone  ;  anal  similar  to  soft  dorsal  ; 

its  base  much  longer  than  abdomen  ;  tail  unarmed.  (  Trachinotince.) 

j.  Forehead  convex  ;  teeth  small,  lost  with  age  ;  membrane  of  spinous 

dorsal  disappearing  with  age  ......    TRACHINOTUS,  139. 

u.  Maxillary  with  supplemental  bone  ;  A.  shorter  than  soft  D.,  its  base 

not  longer  than  abdomen.     (Seriolince.) 
lc.  D.  and  A.  without  finlets. 

7.  Membrane  of  D.  spines  disappearing  with  age. 

NAUCRATES,  140. 
II.  Membrane  of  D.  spines  persistent  ......    SERIOLA,  141. 

TcTc.  D.  and  A.  each  followed  by  a  two-rayed  n'nlet.    ELAGATIS,  142. 


131.  OLIGOPLITBS  Gill.     (otiyos,  small;  dn-XiVi^,  armed.) 

273.  O.   saurus    (Bloch    &    Schneider).      LEATHER-JACKET. 
RUNNER.     Bluish,  silvery  below  ;    fins  yellow.     Body  lanceolate  ; 
fins  low.     Head  5;  depth  4.     D.  V-l,  20.     A.  II  -1,  20.     L.  18. 
Warm  seas  ;  rarely  N.     (vavpos,  old  name  of  some  fish  that  skips 
like  a  lizard.) 

132.  DECAPTERUS  Bleeker.     (S«a,  ten  ;  irrfp6v,  fin.) 
a.  Scutes  about  40;  teeth  present. 

274.  D.  punctatus  (Agassiz).     SCAD.     CIGAR-FISH.     ROUND 
ROBIN.     Bluish  ;  a  dark  opercular  spot  ;  about  twelve  small  black 
spots  on  lateral  line  anteriorly.     Head  4£  ;  depth  5.     D.  V  III-  1, 
30-1:     A.  II,  -1,  24-1.     L.  12.     "W.  L,  etc.  ;  occasional  N.  ;  com- 
mon S.     (Lat.,  dotted.) 

aa.  Scutes  about  25  ;  teeth  obsolete. 

275.  D.  macarellus  (Cuv.   &  Val.).     Lateral  line  unspotted; 
D.  soft  rays  33.     A.  27  ;  depth  5f.    W.  I.,  rarely  N. 

133.  TRACHURUS  Rafinesque.    (rpa^oupos,  ancient  name,  from 
rpaxvs,  rough  ;  ovpd,  tail.) 

276.  T.  trachurus  (L.).    HORSE-MACKEREL.    SAUREL.   Scutes 
all  large,  about  72  (35-J-37)  in   number;    depth  about  4.     D. 
VIII-  1,  29.     A.  II-  1,   28.     L.  12.     S.  Europe,  etc.,  occasional 
on  our  coast.     (Eu.) 

134.  TRACHUROPS  Gill.     (  Trachurus  ;  <Jty,  appearance.) 

277.  T.  crumenophthalmus  (Bloch).     BIG-EYED  SCAD.     CHI- 
CHARRO.     GOGGLER.     Eye  very  large,  3  in  head,  with  very  large- 
adipose  eyelid;  scutes  40.     Head  3£;  depth  3£.     D.  VIII  -1,  26. 
A.  11-1,22.      L.  12.     Warm  seas.      N.   to   Cape   Cod.      (Lat., 
crumena,  purse  ;  o$<£aA/i6s,  eye.) 

135.  CARANX   Lace'pede.      (A   corruption   of  the  Portuguese 

Acarauna,  French  Carangue.) 
a.  Teeth  in  jaws  in  few  series,  unequal,  those  above  enlarged,  those  below 

uniserial;  teeth  on  vomer,  palatines  and  tongue;  soft  dorsal  and  anal 

falcate  in  front  ;  maxillary  broad.    (  Caraux.) 


CARANGID.E.  —  LVI.  109 

b.  Body  subfusiform,  the  depth  less  than  J  the  length;  breast  scaly;  no 
canines;  scutes  numerous,  40  to  50. 

278.  C.  chrysos  (Mitchill.)   HARD-TAIL.  YELLOW  MACKEREL. 
COJINERA.     Greenish,  yellow  below;  a  black  blotch  on  opercle; 
none  on  P  ;  breast  scaly  ;  arch  of  lateral  line  about  half  straight 
part.     Head  3f  ;  depth  3£.     D.  VIII  -  1,  24.     A.  II,  1,  19.    Scutes 
50.     L.  18.     Cape  Cod,  S.,  rather  common,     (^putro?,  gold.) 

bb.  Body  oblong-ovate,  the  depth  more  than  J  the  length;  outer  teeth 

stronger;  scutes  larger,  25  to  30;  silvery  species. 
c.  Breast  entirely  scaly  ;  opercular  spot  inconspicuous  ;  lower  jaw  with- 
out distinct  canines. 

279.  C.  latus  Agassiz.    JUREL.    Pectoral  spot  usually  wanting. 
Head  3f;  depth  2f.     D.  VIII-  1,22.     A.  II-  1,16.     Scutes,  30. 
L.  18.     Warm  seas,  rarely  N.     (Lat.,  broad.) 

cc.  Breast  naked,  except  a  small  rhombic  scaly  area  before  V.  ;  lower 
jaw  with  two  small  canines;  adult  with  a  large  black  spot  on 
opercle,  and  one  towards  base  of  P. 

280.  C.   hippos    (L.).     CREVALLE.     CAVALLA.     Head  large 
and  deep,  especially  in  adult,  mouth  large.     Head  3^  ;  depth  2^  to 
3.   D.  VIII  -1,  20.    A.  II  -1,  17.     Scutes  25.    L.  36.   Warm  seas, 
N.  to  Cape  Cod  ;  common  S.     (Irrnos,  horse.) 

aa.  Teeth  of  jaws  equally  small;  breast  naked,  spinous  dorsal  disappearing 
with  age  ;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  with  3  to  6  anterior  rays  produced  in 
long  filaments.  (Alectis  Rafinesque.) 

281.  C.  gallus  (L.).     THREAD-FISH.    Body  very  deep,  broadly 
ovate,  its  edges  trenchant  ;  scales  minute  ;  scutes  very  feeble  ;  sil- 
very, darker  above  ;  a  dark  blotch  on  opercle  ;  changes  greatly  with 
age.     Head  3;   depth  2  (young  as  deep  as  long).     D.  VI  -1,  19. 
A.  16.    Scutes  9  to  12.    L.  2  feet.  Warm  seas,  N.  to  N.  Y.    (The 
American  fish,  called  Caranx  crinitus  Mitchill,  seems  to  be  the  same 
as  the  East  Indian  C.  gallus.)     (Lat.,  cock.) 

136.  VOMER  Cuvier.     (Lat.,  ploughshare.) 

282.  V.  setipinnis  (Mitchill).  MOON-FISH.   HORSE-FISH.  Body 
oblong,  excessively  compressed,  but  less  elevated  than  in  C.  gallus 
or  in  Selene  vomer  :  fins  in  adult  all  very  low,  none  filamentous  ; 
head  very  gibbous  above  eye  ;    scutes  minute.     Head  3^  ;  depth  2 
(deeper  in  young).     D.  VIII-  1,  21  to  25;   A.  II-  1,  18  to  20. 
L.  18.     Tropical  America,   N.  to  Maine.      (Lat.,  seta,  bristle; 
pinna,  fin.) 

137.  SELENE  Lacepede.     (a-fX^vrj,  the  moon.) 


a.  D.  with  22  soft  rays  ;  A.  with  about  18;  anterior  profile  of  head  from  base 
of  snout  to  occiput  almost  straight,  the  bones  of  the  head  being  much 
distorted. 


110  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

283.  S.  vomer  (L.).  MOON-FISH.   HORSE-HEAD.  LOOK-DOWN. 
Adult  with  soft  rays  of  D.  and  A.  much  produced ;  young  with 
dorsal  spines  and  V.  variously  elongate,  these  fins  short  with  age. 
Silvery.     Head  3;  depth  1J.     L.  12.     Warm  seas,  frequently  N. 
to  Cape  Cod. 

138.  CHLOROSCOMBRUS  Girard.     (^Xo>poy,  green ;  o-Kopfipos, 
mackerel.) 

284.  C.  chrysurus    (L.).      BUMPER.      CASABE.      Greenish; 
sides  and  below  golden ;  a  dark  blotch  on  back  of  tail ;  head  deep ; 
mouth  very  oblique ;  P.  very  long ;  chord  of  arch  of  lateral  line  l£ 
to  If  in  straight  part ;  no  scutes.   Head  3f ;  depth  2£.    D.  VIII  - 1, 
26.     A.  II -1,  26.      L.  9.     W.  Indies,  rare  N.     (xpvtro'y,  gold; 
ovpd,  tail.) 

139.  TRACHINOTUS  Lacepede.     POMPANOS.     (rpaxvs, 

rough ;  V£>TOS,  back.) 

a.  Dorsal  with  19  to  20  soft  rays ;  anal  with  17  to  19. 
b.  Body  broadly  ovate,  its  depth  at  all  ages  more  than  half  the  body;  sides 
without  black  bars. 

285.  T.  falcatus  (L.).    ROUND  POMPANO.    PALOMETA.    Body 
deep ;  profile  from  nostril  to  dorsal  everywhere  about  equally  con- 
vex ;  lobes  of  D.  and  A.  high,  reaching  in  adult  beyond  middle  of 
fin;  bluish,  sides  silvery;  lobes  of  D.  black  in  young;  no  axillary 
spot.     HeadSf;  depth  1J.     L.  20.     Warm  seas,  occasional  N.  to 
N.  Y.     (T.  ovatus  (L.) ;    T.  rhomboides  Bloch.)      (Lat.,  scythe- 
shaped.) 

aa.  Dorsal  with  25  soft  rays;  anal  with  22;  body  oblong,  rather  robust. 

286.  T.  carolinus  (L.).     COMMON  POMPANO.     Bluish,  golden 
below ;  changes  greatly  with  age,  the  young  deeper,  with  conspic- 
uous fin-spines,  and  with  teeth  in  jaws;  D.  and  A.  lobes  about 
reaching  middle  of  fins.     Head  4;  depth  2^.     L.  18.     Gulf  Coast, 
etc.,  N.  to  Cape  Cod,  common  S. ;  a  famous  food  fish. 

140.  NAUCRATES  Rafinesque.     (vavKpdrrjs,  pilot.) 

287.  N.  ductor  (L.).     PILOT-FISH.     ROMERO.     Bluish  with 
about  6  broad  dark  vertical  bars.    Head  4 ;  depth  4.    D.  IV- 1,  26. 
A.  II -1,  16.     Pelagic;  occasional  on  our  coast.     (Eu.)     (Lat., 
guide.) 

141.  SERIOLA  Cuvier.     AMBER-FISHES.     (An  Italian  name.) 

288.  S.  zonata   (Mitchill).      RUDDER-FISH.      Bluish,  with    6 
broad  black  bars,  which  fade  or  disappear  with  age ;  an  oblique 
dark  band  from  eye  to  spinous  dorsal;  V.  mostly  black.     Head 
longer  than  deep;   occiput  compressed;   tail  keeled.      Head  3^; 
depth  3J.     D.  VII- 1,  38.     A.  II- 1,  21.     L.  30.     Cape  Cod  to 
W.  I ,  not  rare.     (Lat.,  banded.) 


POMATOMID^E.  —  LVII.  Ill 


142.  ELAGATIS  Bennett.     (fjXaKdnj,  spindle.) 

289.  E.  bipinnulatus  (Quoy  &  Gaimard).     Blue,  yellow  be- 
low ;  side  with  S  longitudinal  bluish  stripes.     Head  3£  ;  depth  3f  . 
D.  VI-1,  27-11.     A.  II-l,  17-11.     L.  18.     Warm  seas,  rarely 
N.  to  L.  I.     (Meek.}     (Lat.,  Us,  two;  pinnula,  little  fin.) 

FAMILY  LVII.    POMATOMID^SJ.     (THE  BLUE-FISHES.) 

Closely  allied  to  the  Carangidce  but  with  the  scales  larger  and 
weakly  ctenoid.  Mouth  large,  oblique,  with  very  strong,  compressed, 
unequal  teeth  ;  premaxillaries  protractile  ;  caudal  peduncle  stout, 
the  fin  forked,  with  broad  lobes  ;  preopercle  serrate  ;  lateral  line 
unarmed.  First  dorsal  of  about  8  fragile  spines  ;  second  D.  and  A. 
long  ;  anal  spines  minute.  A  single  species,  in  most  warm  seas. 

143.  POMATOMUS  Lacdpede.    (jrSifia,  opercle  ;  TO/AC'S,  cutting.) 

290.  P.  saltatrix  (L.)*     BLUE-FISH.     SKIP-JACK.     Bluish,  sil- 
very below  ;  a  black  blotch  at  base  P.  ;  body  robust,  somewhat  com- 
pressed ;  P.  inserted  low,  nearly  2  in  head.    Head  3£  ;  depth  4.     D. 
VIII  -1,25.    A.  II-l,  26.     Lat.  1.  95.    L.  3  feet.     Warm  seas, 
common  on  our  Atlantic  coast  ;  an  excellent  and  gamy  fish,  but  very 
destructive  to  other  species.     (Lat  ,  leaper.) 

FAMILY  LVIII.    STEOMATBID^J.    (THE  BUTTER-FISHES.) 

This  family  is  also  very  close  to  the  Carangidce,  differing  chiefly 
in  the  presence  of  numerous  horny,  barbed  or  hooked  teeth  in  the 
cesophagus,  and  in  the  greater  number  of  vertebras  (30  or  more). 
There  are  no  free  anal  spines,  and  the  spinous  D.  is  very  much  re- 
duced or  even  wanting.  Some  of  the  species  differ  from  other 
mackerel-like  fishes  in  having  the  gill  membranes  attached  to  the 
isthmus,  while  still  others  have  no  ventral  fins.  Genera  5  ;  species 
about  30  ;  of  the  warm  seas. 

a.  Ventral  fins  I,  5,  well-developed;  premaxillaries  protractile;  gill  openings 
wide;  caudal  peduncle  stout.    (Centrolophince.) 

b.  Preopercle  finely  serrate;  dorsal  spines  short  and  stout;  anterior  rays  of 

D.  low;  scales  moderate  ...........    LEIRUS,  144. 

aa.  Ventrals  minute  or  absent;  premaxillaries  not  protractile;  caudal  pe- 
duncle slender;  the  fin  widely  forked  ;  opercles  entire;  scales  minute; 
spinous  D.  almost  obsolete.  (Stromateince.) 

c.  Gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus  .......    STROMATEUS,  145. 

144.  LEIRUS  Lowe.     (Aetpdy,  thin.) 

291.  L.  perciformis  (Mitchill).    BLACK  RUDDER-FISH.    Black- 
ish-green everywhere  ;  eye  large  ;  snout  blunt.    Head  3£  ;  depth  2£. 
D.  VII  -1,20.    A.  Ill,  16.    Lat.  1.75.    L.  12.    Maine  to  N.  J.,  not 
rare  N.    (Lat.,  perca,  perch;  formis,  shape.) 


112  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. — XX. 

145.   STROMATEUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus,     (arpw/zarcuf,  ancient 

name.) 

a.  Pelvis  ending  in  a  small  spine;  V.  wanting. 

b.  D.  and  A.  little  falcate,  their  lobes  shorter  than  head;  a  row  of  con- 
spicuous pores  along  side  of  back  above  lateral  line.    (Poronotus  Gill.) 

292.  S.    triacanthus   Peck.      DOLLAR-FISH.      BUTTER-FISH. 
Bluish ;  silvery  below ;  body  oval,  compressed ;  snout  very  blunt. 
Head  4  ;  depth  2£.     D.  Ill,  45.     A.  Ill,  37.     L.  10.     Maine  to 
Florida,  common  N.     (rpts,  three ;  aicavBa,  spine.) 

bb.  D.  and  A.  falcate,  their  lobes  longer  than  head ;  back  without  evident 
pores.    (Rhombus  Lace'pede.) 

293.  S.  paru  L.     HARVEST-FISH.    Bluish,  yellow  below ;  body 
almost  round,  with  vertical  snout.    Head  4  ;  depth  l£.    D.  Ill,  45. 
A.  II,  43.     L.  8.     Cape  Cod  to  S.  A.,  rare  N.     (Brazilian  name.) 

FAMILY  LIX.    CORYPELJENID-^.    (THE  DOLPHINS.) 

Body  elongate,  compressed,  with  small,  cycloid  scales ;  mouth 
wide,  with  moderate  teeth ;  opercles  entire ;  occipital  crest  extend- 
ing well  forward,  becoming  very  high  in  the  adult  <£.  D.  contin- 
uous from  nape  nearly  to  C.,  without  distinct  spines;  A.  similar, 
shorter;  V.I,  5;  P.  short;  C.  widely  forked.  Gill  openings  wide. 
No  pseudobranchise  nor  air-bladder.  Vertebras  more  than  24.  One 
genus,  with  2  or  3  species ;  large  vigorous  fishes  of  the  open  seas. 
The  bright  coloration  grows  pale  at  death,  but  the  accounts  of  this 
change  have  been  much  exaggerated. 

146.   CORYFH.ffiNA  (Artedi)   Linnaeus.     (/«Jpvr,  helmet ; 
<£cii>o>,  to  show.) 

294.  C.  hippurus  L.     COMMON  DOLPHIN.     DORADO.     Very 
bright  olive-green,  with  small  round  blue  spots ;  V.  inserted  slightly 
behind  upper  ray  of  P.     Head  4f ;  depth  4£ ;  V.  \\  in  head ;  P.  l£. 
D.  59  to  63.     A.  29.     L.  3  to  5  feet.     Open  sea,  N.  to  Cape  Cod, 
abundant  S.     (ITTTTO?,  horse;  ovpa,  tail.)     (Eu.) 

With  the  Dolphins,  we  close  the  series  of  fishes  having  Scombroid 
affinities,  and  begin  the  equally  important  series  of  PERCI- 
FORMES,  those  related  in  some  degree  to  the  common  Perch. 
The  Perch-like  fishes  have  usually  larger  and  rougher  scales  than 
the  Scombroids,  and  the  development  of  the  spinous  armature  of 
the  fins  is  in  general  more  pronounced.  We  begin  with  one  of  the 
most  aberrant  forms,  the  small 

FAMILY  LX.    APHRBDODERID2E.    (THE  PIRATE 
PERCHES.) 

Body  oblong,  with  thick,  depressed  head  and  compressed  tail; 
mouth  moderate,  the  chin  projecting ;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  on 


ELASSOMATHLE. — LXI.          \\  113 

jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines;  premaxillary  not  protractile';  maxil- 
lary simple ;  preopercle  and  preorbital  serrate ;  opercle  with  a 
spine ;  bones  of  skull  somewhat  cavernous  ;  gill  rakers  tubercle- 
like  ;  gill  membranes  slightly  joined  to  isthmus ;  no  pseudobranchiae ; 
gills  complete.  B.  6.  Scales  strongly  ctenoid ;  no  lateral  line. 
Vent  anterior,  below  the  preopercle  in  adult,  farther  back  in  young, 
its  position  changing  by  a  lengthening  of  the  rectum.  Dorsal  small, 
with  3  or  4  spines ;  anal  with  2 ;  ventrals  without  spine  and  with 
seven  soft  rays  (all  other  perch-like  fishes  having  one  spine  and  five 
rays)  ;  C.  rounded.  Vertebra  29.  Air  bladder  large.  Pyloric 
ca3ca  12.  One  species,  a  small  fish  of  nocturnal  habits,  abounding 
in  sluggish  grassy  lowland  streams  throughout  the  Eastern  U.  S. 

147.  APHREDODERUS  Le  Sueur.     (a$o8os,  excrement ; 
Se'pj;,  the  throat.) 

295.  A.  sayanus  (Gilliams).     PIRATE   PERCH.     Dark  olive, 
profusely  dotted  with  black ;  two  dusky  bars  at  base  of  C.     Head 
3  ;  depth  3.     D.  Ill,  11.     A.  II,  6.     Lat.  1.  48  to  58.    L.  6.    N.  Y. 
to  La.,  and  N.  to  Minn,  and  Lake  Erie ;  variable.     (To  Thomas 
Say,  the  entomologist.) 

FAMILY  LXI.    ELASSOMATID^.   (THE  TINY  PERCHES.) 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  with  large  cycloid  scales ;  mouth  small ; 
teeth  conic,  strong,  on  jaws,  a  few  on  vomer ;  upper  jaw  very  pro- 
tractile ;  opercles  entire ;  gill  membranes  broadly  united,  free  from 
the  isthmus ;  gill  rakers  tubercle-like ;  lower  pharyngeals  narrower, 
with  sharp  teeth.  B.  5.  JSTo  lateral  line ;  pseudobranchise  rudi- 
mentary. V.  normal  (I,  5).  Dorsal  small,  with  4  spines;  anal 
with  3  ;  C.  rounded.  Vertebrae  24.  One  genus,  with  two  species, 
E.  evergladei  Jordan,  of  Florida,  and  the  following.  They  in- 
habit sluggish,  lowland  waters  of  the  E.  U.  S.,  and  they  are  among 
the  smallest  of  all  fishes. 

148.  ELASSOMA  Jordan.     (cXaacra/ia,  a  diminution.) 

296.  E.  zonatum  Jordan.     Olive  green,  finely  speckled ;  sides 
with  1 1  dark  bars  ;  a  round  black  spot  on  side  behind  shoulder ; 
fins  spotted  ;  a  bar  at  base  of  C.     Eye  large  ;  mouth  small.     Head 
3;  depth  31.      D.  V,  9.     A.  Ill,  5.     Scales  40-19.     L.   1  to  1J. 
S.  111.  to  Ark.  and  La.,  in  grassy  brooks.     (Lat.,  banded.) 

FAMILY  LXIL    CENTRARCHID^S.     (THE  SUN-FISHES.) 

Body  more  or  less  shortened  and  compressed,  so  that  the  regions 
above  and  below  the  axis  of  the  body  are  nearly  equal  and  corre- 
spond to  each  other.  Mouth  terminal ;  teeth  small ;  premaxillary 
protractile ;  maxillary  with  a  supplemental  bone  which  is  sometimes 

8 


114  TELEOSTEI :  —  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

minute  or  obsolete ;  preopercle  entire  or  nearly  so ;  preorbital  deep, 
not  sheathing  the  maxillary ;  gill  membranes  separate,  free  from 
isthmus ;  pseudobranchise  small,  concealed.  B.  usually  6  ;  lower 
pharyngeals  separate ;  scales  usually  large ;  lateral  line  present. 
Dorsal  continuous,  with  6  to  13  spines;  anal  spines  3  to  8.  Ver- 
tebrae about  30.  Intestines  short,  with  a  few  caeca.  Sexes  similar, 
but  the  changes  in  form  due  to  age  often  considerable.  Genera  10; 
species  about  25 ;  carnivorous  fishes  especially  characteristic  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  —  all  but  one  (Archoplites  interruptus  of  Cal.) 
confined  to  the  waters  of  the  E.  U.  S.  Some  species  build  nests, 
and  all  are  voracious  and  gamy. 

a.  Dorsal  fin  scarcely  larger  than  anal;  gill  rakers  very  long  and  slender. 
b.  Spinous  dorsal  longer  than  soft,  its  spines  12;  anal  spines  about  8. 

CENTRARCHUS,  149. 
bb.  Spinous  dorsal  shorter  than  soft,  with  6  to  8  spines;  anal  spines  6. 

POMOXIS,  150. 
aa.  Dorsal  fin  much  larger  than  anal;  gill  rakers  shorter. 

c.  Body  comparatively  short  and  deep,  the  depth  usually  more  than  5. 

the  length;  dorsal  fin  not  deeply  divided. 
d.  Tongue  and  pterygoids  with  teeth;   mouth  large  (the  maxillary 

reaching  past  middle  of  eye). 
e.  Scales  ctenoid;  caudal  concave  behind. 
f.  Opercle  emarginate  behind;  anal  spines  usually  6;  branchios- 

tegals  6 AMBLOPLITES,  151. 

ff.  Opercle  ending  in  a  black  convex  process  or  flap ;  anal  spines  3. 

CH^NOBRYTTUS,  152. 

ee.  Scales  cycloid ;  caudal  convex.       .    .    .    ACANTHARCHUS,  153. 
dd.  Tongue  and  pterygoids  toothless ;  mouth  small  (the  maxillary  barely 
to  middle  of  eye). 

g.  Caudal  convex;  opercle  emarginate,  without  flap. 
h.  Dorsal  fin  continuous,  normally  with  9  spines;  anal  nor- 
mally with  3  spines ENNEACANTHUS,  154. 

hh.  Dorsal  fin  angulated,  some  of  the  median  spines  elevated ; 
dorsal  spines  10;  anal  3.  ...    MESOGOMSTIUS,  155. 
gg.  Caudal  margin  concave;  opercle  prolonged  behind  in  a  con- 
vex process  or  flap  which  is  always  black ;  dorsal  spines 

normally  10;  anal  3 LEPOMIS,  156. 

cc.  Body  comparatively  elongate,  the  depth  in  adult  about  $  the  length; 
D.  low,  deeply  emarginate,  with  10  spines;  mouth  large;  C.  lunate. 

MICROPTERUS,  157. 

149.  CENTRARCHUS  Cuv.  &  Val.     (Kevrpov,  spine  ; 

ap^osr,  anus.) 

297.  C.  macropterus  Lacepede.  Body  ovate ;  fins  high.  Green, 
with  rows  of  dark  brown  spots  along  sides  ;  fins  reticulated ;  young 
with  a  black  ocellus  on  D.  behind.  Head  3^;  depth  2.  Scales 
5-44-14.  D.  XI  or  XII,  12.  A.  VII  or  VIII,  15.  L.  6.  N.  C. 
to  111.,  and  S.,  in  lowland  streams,  (juaiepor,  long ;  irrepov,  fin.) 


CENTR  ARCHID.E.  —  LXII.  115 

150.  POMOXIS  Rafinesque.     (7ro>/*a,  opercle  ;  6£vs,  sharp.) 
a.  Dorsal  spines  7  or  8;  A.  reticulate,  like  soft  D. 

298.  P.  sparoides  (Lacepede).     CALICO  BASS.     GRASS-BASS. 
BAR-FISH.     STRAWBERRY  BASS.     Body  oblong,  compressed,  the 
profile  comparatively  even ;    fins  very  high.      Silvery  olive,  much 
mottled  with  clear  green;    vertical  fins  with  green  reticulations 
around  pale  spots.     Head  3;  depth  2.     D.  VII,  15.      A.  VI,  17. 
Lat.  1.  41.     L.  12.     N.  J.  to  Minn,  and  La. ;  commonest  N. 

aa.  Dorsal  spines  6;  A.  fin  whitish,  nearly  plain. 

299.  P.  annularis  Rafinesque.     CRAPPIE.    BACHELOR.     NEW 
LIGHT.    CAMPBELLITE.    SAC-A-LAI.    Profile  more  or  less  distinctly 
S-shaped,  the  nape  gibbous,  the  head  depressed,  the  snout  project- 
ing ;  mouth  very  large.      Silvery  olive,  mottled  with  dark  green. 
Head  3  ;  depth  2J.      D.  VI,  15.      A.  VI,  18.      Lat.  1.  about  40. 
L.  12.     Variable.    Miss.  Valley,  in  quiet  waters,  common  S.    (Lat., 
ringed.) 

151.  AMBLOPLITES  Rafinesque.     (dpP\vs,  blunt ; 
oTrAi'rijs,  armed.) 

300.  A.  rupestris  (Rafinesque).   ROCK  BASS.   RED  EYE.   GOG- 
GLE-EYE.   Body  oblong ;  eye  very  large.    Olive  green,  sides  brassy, 
much  mottled  with  dark  green ;  young  with  blackish  bars ;  adult 
with  rows  of  dark  spots  along  sides  ;  iris  red.      Head  2f  ;  depth  2. 
D.  XI,  10.     A.  VI,  10.     Scales  5-40-12.    L.  12.    Vt.  to  Manitoba, 
S.  to  La.  and  N.  C.,  common  W.     (Lat.,  living  among  rocks.) 

152.  CHJBNOBRYTTUS  Gill.     (xaiVa,  to  yawn ;  Rryttus 
i.  e.  Lepomis.) 

301.  C.  gulosus  (Cuv.  &  Val).  WAR-MOUTH.  RED-EYED  BREAM. 
Body  oblong,  robust ;  eye  moderate.    Olive  green,  sides  brassy  with 
blotches  of  bluish,  greenish,  and  copper-red;    cheeks  with  3  or  4 
dark  bands ;  fins  dusky,  mottled ;  a  dark  spot  on  last  D.  rays  ; 
young  barred ;  some  specimens  with  rows  of  dark  spots  on  sides. 
Head  2f ;  depth  2f      D.  X,  10  ;  A.  Ill,  9.      Scales  6-40-12.      L. 
10.    L.  Michigan  to  Va.  and  Texas,  abundant  S.  in  sluggish  waters. 
Northern  specimens  are  deeply  colored,  the  adult  with  blue  and 
copper-red ;  the  D.  is  usually  a  trifle  farther  forward,  over  opercular 
spot ;  this  is  var.  antistius  McKay.     (Lat.  big-mouthed.) 

153.  ACANTHARCHUS  Gill.     (uitavQa,  spine ;  dpxos,  anus.) 

302.  A.  pomotis  (Baird).    MUD  SUN-FISH.     Form  of  the  Rock 
Bass.     Dark-green,  with  2  or  3  faint  dusky  longitudinal  stripes  ; 
cheeks  with  dark  oblique  bands ;  fins  plain.     Head  2f ;  depth  2. 
D.  XT,  10.      A.  V,  10.      Scales  6-43-12.      L.  6.      Hudson  R.  to 
N.  C.  in  sluggish  streams  coastwise.     (Pomotis  =  Lepomis.} 


116  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTEEI.  —  XX. 

154.  ENNE ACANTHUS  Gill.     (cWo,  nine;  aicavda,  spine.) 

a.  Depth  usually  more  than  half  length;  opercular  spot  large,  more  than 
half  eye. 

303.  E.  obesus  (Baird).     Olivaceous,  with  5  to  8  distinct  dark 
cross-bars ;  spots  on  body  and  fins  golden  or  purplish  ;  cheek  with 
lines  and  spots ;  a  dark  bar  below  eye ;  cheek  with  4  rows  of  scales  ; 
lateral  line  usually  incomplete;   fins  moderate,  spine  of  V.  not 
reaching  vent.     Head  2f ;    depth   If     D.  IX,  10.     A.  Ill,  10. 
Scales  4-32-10.    L.  4.     Mass,  to  Fla.,  common  coastwise.     (Lat., 
fat.) 

eta.  Depth  usually  less  than  half  length ;  opercular  flap  small,  bordered  with 
pearly  and  blue. 

304.  E.  simulans  (Cope).     Dark  olive,  young  faintly  barred;  a 
dark  bar  below  eye;    £  with  head,  body  and  vertical  fins  with 
round  sky-blue  spots ;    9  duller,  with  lower  fins  and  larger,  faint 
spots ;  lateral  line  usually  complete.     Head  2| ;  depth  2^.     D.  IX, 
10.      A.   Ill,  9.      Scales  3-30-9.     L.  5.     N.  J.    to  S.  C.,  com- 
mon coastwise;    (number  of  spines  sometimes  variable).      (Lat., 
resembling.) 

305.  E.  eriarchus  (Jordan).     Olivaceous ;    vertical   fins   with 
round  pale  spots ;   lateral  line  incomplete ;   fins  very  large,  espe- 
cially A.,  which  is  reached  by  the  ventral  spines ;  scales  on  cheek, 
in  3  rows.     Head  2} ;  depth  2J.     D.  X,  9.     A.  IV.  8  (in  typical 
example   probably  abnormal).     Scales   4-33-10.     L.  3.     Wis.  to 
Mo. ;   two  specimens  known,     (epi,  an  intensive  particle ;  dpxos, 
anus.) 

155.  MESOGONISTIUS  Gill,     (/ueo-o?,  middle;  ywvta,  angle; 

io-Tiov,  sail.) 

306.  M.   cheetodon  (Baird).     Body   suborbicular,  the  mouth 
very  small,  the  fins  high.     Straw-color,  with  dark  clouds ;  6  to  8 
irregular,  sharply-defined  black  bars  across  body  and  fins,  the  first 
bar   through  eye.     Head  3;   depth  If.     D.   X,  10.     A.  Ill,  12. 
Scales  4-28-10.     L.  3.     N.  J.  to  Md.,  in  sluggish  streams;  hand- 
somest of  the  sun-fishes.     (A  genus  of  fishes.) 

156.  LEPOMIS  Kafinesque.     SUN-FISHES.     (Iclithelis,  Pomotis, 

and  Apomotis  Rafinesque.) 

(A  large  genus,  one  of  the  most  difficult  in  our  fauna,  as  the 
species  are  subject  to  great  individual  variations,  especially  with 
age.  On  the  other  hand  the  numbers  of  scales  and  fin-rays  are 
essentially  alike  in  all,  and  nearly  all  the  distinctive  characters  are 
subject  to  intergradation.  The  spines  are  generally  higher  in  the 
young,  while  the  "  ear-flap  "  is  fully  developed  only  in  the  adult.) 
(Xciris,  scale  ;  Trayuz,  opercle.) 


CENTRARCHID^E.  —  LXII.  117 

a   Lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  the  teeth  not  paved. 
b.  Pharyngeal  teeth  all,  or  nearly  all,  slender  and  acute. 
c.  Supplemental  maxillary  well  developed;  palatine  teeth  present;  gill 

rakers  comparatively  stiff  and  strong.    (Apomotis  Rafinesque.) 
d.  Scales  rather  small,  more  than  40  in  lateral  line. 
e.  D.  and  A.  in  adult,  with  a  conspicuous  black  spot  at  base  of  last 
ray. 

307.  L.  cyanellus    (Rafinesque).      GREEN   SUN-FISH.      Body 
oblong,  the  back  not  elevated ;  mouth  large,  the  maxillary  nearly 
to  middle  of  eye ;  dorsal  spines  low,  about  equal  to  snout ;  oper- 
cular  flap  short,  with  pale  margin.     Green,  with  brassy  lustre,  each 
scale  with  a  blue  spot  and  gilt  edging ;  fins  largely  blue,  A.  edged 
with  orange  ;  iris  red ;  cheeks  with  blue  stripes.     Head  3  ;  depth 
2£.     D.  X,  11.     A.  Ill,  9.     Lat.  1.  48.     L.  7.     Great  Lakes  to  Ga. 
and  Mexico ;  very  abundant  in  small  brooks,  especially  S. ;   very 
variable.     (HUGH/OS,  dark-blue.) 

ee.  D.  and  A.  without  black  spot. 

308.  L.  phenax  (Cope  &  Jordan).     Body  rather  deep ;  mouth 
small,  the  maxillary  to  middle  of  eye ;  opercular  spot  longer  than 
eye.     Plain  olive  green;   scales  6-43-14.     L.  16.    N.  J.     (<£eVa£, 
false.) 

dd.  Scales  rather  large,  less  than  40  in  lateral  line. 

309.  L.  symmetricus  Forbes.     Body  short,  deep ;  mouth  mod- 
erate.    Dark  green,  sides  with  10  vertical  bars;  dorsal  in  9  with 
black  ocellus  on  last  ray ;  cheek  not  striped ;  opercular  spot  higher 
than  long;    spines  low.     Head  2£;    depth   If.     Scales  6-34-14. 
L.  2£.     111.  to  La.,  not  rare ;  a  neat  and  very  small  species. 

cc.  Supplemental  maxillary  reduced  to  a  slight  rudiment;  the  mouth 

small,  the  palatine  teeth  few  or  none. 
d.  Gill  rakers  stiff,  not  very  short.     (Lepomis.) 
e.  Opercular  flap  short,  little  larger  than  eye,  even  in  adult. 

310.  L.  ischyms  Jordan  &  Nelson.     Body  robust,  mouth  large, 
the  maxillary  to  middle  of  eye ;  profile  depressed  above  eye  ;  scales 
on  cheek  in  6  rows  ;  opercular  flap  broad,  with  a  broad  pale  edge. 
Dusky,  mottled  with  blue  and  orange  ;  cheeks  with  wide  blue  bands ; 
a  dark  spot  on  D.  and  A.  behind.     Head  2f ;  depth  2£.     Scales 
5-46-14.     L.  7.     HI.  R. ;  only  the  type  known,     (to-^vpoy,  robust.) 

311.  L.  macrochirus  Rafinesque.    Steel-blue  with  bronze  orange 
spots,  so  arranged  as  to  form  series  of  vertical  chain-like  bars ;  fins 
with  bronze  and  orange ;  no  blue  stripes  on  cheek ;  P.  long,  reach- 
ing A. :  gill. rakers  slender,  11 ;  7  rows  of  scales  on  cheeks.     Head 
3 ;  depth  2£.     Scales  6-42-15.     L.  5.     Ohio  valley,  rare.     (/na<pd?, 
long ;  xeip,  pectoral.) 

ee.  Opercular  flap  in  adult  becoming  more  or  less  elongate  and  con- 
spicuous. 


118  TELEOSTEl:   ACANTHOPTERI. — XX. 

/.  Scales  large,  5-34-11;  opercular  spot  wholly  surrounded  by  a  very 
broad  red  margin. 

312.  L.  humilis  (Girard).     Body  oblong;  spines  high;  cheeks 
with  5  rows  of  scales.     Olive,  with  greenish  specks,  posteriorly ; 
sides  with  round  orange  spots  ;  belly  and  lower  fins  red.     Head  2|- ; 
depth  2£.     L.  2£.     Ky.  to  Neb.  and  Texas  ;  very  abundant  S.  W. 
(Lat.,  humble.) 

ff.  Scales  rather  small,  42  to  50  in  the  lateral  line. 

g.  Opercular  flap  in  the  adult,  very  broad,  without  pale  edge ;  D.  and 
A.  in  adult  with  a  large  black  spot  on  the  last  rays. 

313.  L.  pallidus  (Mitchill).     BLUE  SUN-FISH.    COPPER-NOSED 
BREAM.     DOLLARDEE.     Body  deep,  compressed,  the  young  slen- 
der, the  adult  yery  deep ;  tail  slender ;  head  small ;  mouth  quite 
small,  the  maxillary  barely  to  eye;  gill-rakers  slender,  about  10; 
D.  spines  higher  than  in  related  species.     Olive  green  ;  young  pur- 
plish silvery,  with  greenish  cross-bars ;  no  blue  stripes  on  cheek  •,  no 
red  on  fins ;  old  specimens  often  dusky,  with  the  belly  coppery  red. 
Head  3  ;  depth  2.    Lat.  1.  44.    L.  10.    Great  Lakes  to  N.  Y.,  Kans., 
Fla.  and  Mexico ;  very  abundant.    Very  variable,  but  usually  known 
by  the  black  dorsal  spot,  which  it  shares  with  L.  cyanellus.     (Lat., 
pale.) 

gg.  Opercular  flap  in  the  adult,  very  long  and  narrow,  not  wider  than 
eye,  its  lower  margin  pale;  dorsal  and  anal  usually  without  dark 
spot. 

314.  L.  auritus  (Linnseus).     LONG-EARED    SUN-FISH.     Body 
rather  elongate ;  mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  past  froat  of  eye ; 
gill  rakers  quite  short,  but  stiff  and  rough ;  scales  on  cheek  in  7 
rows.     D.   spines  low.     Olive,  belly  and  lower  fins  largely  red; 
scales  on  sides  with  bluish  spots ;  bluish  stripes  on  head,  especially 
before  eye.     Head  without  flap,  3 ;  depth  2J.     Lat.  1.  47.     L.  8. 
Me.  to   La.,  only  E.  of  the  mountains;   very  abundant;   usually 
known  at  sight  by  the  long,  narrow  ear-flap.     S.  replaced  by  var. 
solis  Cuv.  &  Val.,  with  larger  scales  on  cheek  and  belly,  the  former 
in  5  or  6  rows.     (Lat.,  long-eared.) 

dd.  Gill  rakers  very  short,  weak  and  flexible;  no  palatine  teeth;  opercu- 
lar flap  in  adult  extremely  long,  with  or  without  pale  margin, 
variously  shorter  in  young;  head  with  blue  streaks.  (Xenotis 
Jordan.) 

315.  L.  megalotis  (Rafinesque).     Body  short  and  deep,   the 
profile  steep  ;  mouth  small,  the  maxillary  to  middle  of  eye ;  scales 
on  cheek  in  5  rows.     Brilliant  blue  and  orange,  the  former  color 
predominating  below,  the  blue  in  wavy  streaks,  the  orange  in  spots ; 
head  with  conspicuous  blue  stripes ;  fins  mostly  with  membranes 
orange,  the  rays  blue ;  V.  dusky ;  no  black  spot  on  D.  or  A.     Head 
without  flap,  3 ;  depth  If  to  2£.     Scales  5-38-14.     L.  6.     Mich. 
to  Dakota,  S.  to  S.  C.  and  Mexico;  very  abundant,  especially  in 


CENTRARCHID^E.  —  LXII.  119 

small  brooks.  The  adult  is  readily  recognized;  the  young  may 
be  known  by  the  small  gill-rakers  and  blue  on  head.  (/leydAos, 
large ;  ovs,  ear.) 

316.  L.  garmani  Forbes.     Body  rather  deep;  mouth  moderate; 
maxillary  not  to  front  of  pupil ;  eye  large ;  cheeks  with  5  rows  of 
scales.     Dusky ;  sides  with  rows  of  bronze  spots,  one  to  each  scale, 
and  about  7  rows  below  lateral  line ;  opercular  flap  f  eye.     Head 
2f ;  depth  2J.    Scales  5-34  to  41-14.    L.  4.    Wabash  Valley.    (To 
Harry  Garman,  of  Champaign,  111.) 

66.  Pharyngeal  teeth  mostly  bluntly  conic;  gill- rakers  stout,  rather  short. 
(Xystroplites  Jordan.) 

317.  L.  euryorus  McKay.     Body  very  robust,  the  back  high; 
gill  rakers  about  8 ;   eye  small ;    scales  on  cheek  in  6   or  7  rows ; 
opercular  flap  nearly  as  long  as  snout,  with  a  very  broad  paler 
margin ;  spines  low ;  P.  short.     Greenish,  nearly  plain.     Head  3|^ ; 
depth  2£.     Scales  6-43-14.     L.  7.     Fort  Gratiot,  L.  Huron ;  one 
specimen  known,     (evpvs,  wide ;   opos,  margin.) 

aa.  Lower  pharyngeals  very  broad,  the  teeth  paved,  almost  spherical,  and 
truncate  at  tip  ;  gill-rakers  small  ;  opercular  flap  rather  short  and 
broad ;  its  lower  posterior  edge  always  bright  scarlet ;  no  distinct  black 
spot  on  D.  (Eupomotis  Gill  &  Jordan  ) 

h.  Body  compressed,  the  back  elevated  ;  a  considerable  angle  formed 
above  the  eye  by  the  projecting  snout;  sides  silvery-olive,  scarcely 
spotted  with  orange;  cheek  without  distinct  blue  lines. 

318.  L.  holbrooki  (Cuv.  &  Val.).    Eye  large,  the  maxillary  reach- 
ing its  front ;  cheeks  with  5  rows  of  scales  ;    spines  high ;    P.  long, 
longer  than  head ;  opercular  spot  large.    Dusky  olive,  silvery  below ; 
somewhat  mottled ;  belly  yellow ;  fins  nearly  plain,  the  lower  yellow. 
Head  3 ;  depth  2.     Scales  6-45-14.     L.  8.     S.  111.,  to  S.  C.  and  S., 
in  lowland  streams.     (The  western  form,  var.  notatus  Agassiz,  has 
perhaps  the  scales  larger,  4-35-13,  and  4  rows  on  cheek.)     (To 
John  Edwards  Holbrook,  author  of  Ichth.,  S.  C.) 

hh.  Body  robust,  the  back  elevated,  but  not  much  compressed;  the  profile 
steeper,  scarcely  forming  an  angle  above  eye;  the  short  snout  little 
projecting;  sides  bluish,  profusely  spotted  and  blotched  with  orange; 
cheeks  orange,  with  blue  wavy  streaks. 

319.  L.  gibbosus  (L.)    COMMON  SUN-FISH.    BREAM.    POND- 
FISH.    PUMPKIN-SEED.    SUNNY.    Eye  large,  the  maxillary  reaching 
its  front ;  cheeks  with  4  rows  of  scales ;  spines  moderate;  P.  scarcely 
longer  than  head ;   opercular  spot  moderate.     Greenish  olive,  the 
sides  bluish,  the  belly  and  lower  fins  orange;   the  sides  profusely 
mottled  with  orange ;    D.  bluish,  orange-spotted.     Head  3^- ;  depth 
2.     D.  X,  11.     A.  Ill,  10.     Scales  6-47-13.     L.  8.     Minn,  and 
Great  Lakes  to  Me.,  and  S.  to  S.  C. ;  exceedingly  abundant  N.  and 
E.,  but  in  Western  rivers  rarely  coming  south  of  the  latitude  of 


120  TELEOSTEI:   ACANTHOPTERI. —  XX. 

Chicago.     A  familiar  and  active  inhabitant  of  clear  brooks,  defend- 
ing its  nests  with  great  spirit.    "  A  very  beautiful  and  compact  fish, 
perfect  in  all  its  parts,  looking  like  a  brilliant  coin  fresh  from  the 
mint."     (Lat.,  gibbous.) 
157.  MICROPTERUS  Lacepede.    BLACK  BASS.    OK/JO'?, 

small ;  TrrepoV,  fin.) 

a.  Mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  in  adult  not  extending  beyond  eye ;  scales 
small,  about  11-74-17 ;  young  more  or  less  barred  or  spotted,  never  with 
a  black  lateral  band. 

320.  M.  dolomieu  Lacepede.    SMALL-MOUTHED  BLACK  BASS. 
Body  ovate-oblong,  growing  deep  with  age ;   scales  on  the  cheek 
small,  in  about  1 7  rows ;   D.  less  deeply  notched  than  in  the  next ; 
the  ninth  spine  about  half  as  long  as  the  longest.     Coloration  vari- 
able, the  young  dull  golden-green,  with  darker  spots  on  sides  which 
tend  to  cluster  in  short  vertical  bars;  3  bronze  bands  across  cheeks; 
C.  yellowish,  next  black,  with  a  white  tip ;   D.  with  bronze  spots. 
Adult  nearly  uniform  olive-green.     Head  3^;  depth  3^.     D.  X,  13. 
A.  Ill,  10.     Scales  10  or  11-72  to  75-17.     L.  1  to  2  feet;   weight 
2  to  7  pounds.     St.  Lawrence  River  to  Dakota,  S.  to  S.  C.,  Ala., 
and  Ark.,  preferring  clear  and  running  streams ;  hence  less  common 
S.  than  the  next,  and  for  the  same  reason  usually  considered  the 
better  game-fish.     "  The  Black-bass  is  eminently  an  American  fish ; 
he  has  the  faculty  of  asserting  himself  and  of  making  himself  com- 
pletely at  home  wherever  placed.     He  is  plucky,  game,  brave,  un- 
yielding to  the  last,  when  hooked.     He  has  the  arrowy  rush  and 
vigor  of  a  trout,  the  untiring  strength  and  bold  leap  of  a  salmon, 
while  he  has  a  system  of  fighting  tactics  peculiarly  his  own.     I  con- 
sider him  inch  for  inch  and  pound  for  pound  the  gamest  fish  that 
swims."    (J.  A.  Henshall.')    (To  M.  Dolomieu,  a  scientist  of  Paris.) 
aa.  Mouth  very  large,  the  maxillary  in  the  adult  extending  beyond  the  eye; 

scales  rather  large,  about  7-68-16 ;  last  spines  of  D.  very  short,  so  that 
the  fin  is  almost  divided  into  two  ;  young  with  a  blackish  lateral 
band. 

321.  M.  salmoides   (Lacepede).     LARGE-MOUTHED  BLACK 
BASS.    GREEN  BASS.     OSWEGO  BASS.     BAYOU  BASS.     Body 
rather  deeper  and  more  compressed  than  in  the  preceding,  growing 
deeper  with  age ;  scales  on  cheek  large,  in  about  10  rows;  9th  D. 
spine  not  half  length  of  longest.     Color  dark  green,  silvery  below ; 
sides  with  a  broad  blackish  band  in  young,  with  some  dark  spots 
above  and  below  it ;   three  dark  stripes  across  cheeks  ;    C.  pale  at 
base  and  tip,  mesially  dusky.    Adult  dull  green,  nearly  plain.    Head 
3J;  depth  3.     D.  X,  13.     A.  Ill,  11.     Scales  8-68-16.     L.  1  to  2£ 
feet ;  weight  3  to  8  pounds.     Dakota  to  N.  Y.,  S.  to  Florida  and 
Mexico ;  everywhere  abundant,  preferring  lakes,  bayous,  and  slug- 
gish waters.     Variable.     (Lat.,  Salmo,  salmon ;  eiSoy,  like,  which  it 
is  not.) 


PERCID.E.  —  LXIII.  121 


FAMILY  LXIII.    PERCID^E.    (THE  PERCHES.) 

Body  elongate,  with  rather  small  ctenoid,  adherent  scales ;  lateral 
line  usually  present,  not  extending  on  caudal  fin  ;  mouth  various, 
the  teeth  usually  villif  orm ;  no  supplemental  maxillary ;  opercle  with 
a  flat  spine ;  B.  6  or  7 ;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  the  fourth  ;  gill  mem- 
branes free  from  isthmus ;  gill  rakers  slender,  toothed ;  pseu- 
dobranchiae  small,  often  concealed  by  skin ;  lower  pharyngeals 
separate,  with  sharp  teeth ;  air-bladder  usually  small  or  wanting, 
adherent  to  abdominal  walls.  Fins  usually  large  ;  dorsal  fins  sepa- 
rate, the  first  with  6  to  15  spines;  anal  spines  1  or  2  ;  V.  thoracic, 
I,  5 ;  intestinal  canal  short ;  pyloric  casca  few ;  vertebrae  more 
numerous  than  in  Serranidce,  30  to  45.  Genera  about  7 ;  species 
about  100,  in  the  fresh  waters  of  the  Eastern  United  States,  Europe 
and  Northern  Asia.  The  great  majority  of  the  species  belong  to 
the  singular  genus  or  subfamily,  Etheostoma,  including  the  Darters, 
a  most  singular  group  of  dwarfed  perches,  peculiar  to  the  waters  of 
Eastern  America. 

a.  Pseudobranchise  imperfect  or  wanting ;  preopercle  entire  or  nearly  so; 
branchiostegals  6;  anal  papilla  usually  present;  pyloric  caeca  2  or  3; 
supraoccipital  crest  low;  fishes  of  small  size  (Etheostomatince). 

ETHEOSTOMA,  158. 

aa.  Pseudobranchige  well  developed ;  preopercle  serrate,  the  teeth  on  its  lower 
margin  retrorse;  branchiostegals  7 ;  no  anal  papilla;  premaxillaries 
protractile;  size  large.  (Percince.) 

b.  Canine  teeth  none;  body  oblong PERCA,  159. 

bb.  Canine  teeth  on  jaws  and  palatines;  body  elongate. 

STIZOSTEDION,  160. 

158.  ETHEOSTOMA  Rafinesque.    DARTERS. 

This  group  comprises  a  great  variety  of  forms,  and  it  has  been 
usually  divided  into  10  to  16  genera.  It  is,  however,  impossible  to 
maintain  most  of  these  subordinate  groups  as  genera  on  account  of 
intergradations  of  all  sorts.  There  is  no  considerable  variation  in 
the  osteology 1  of  the  species,  except  in  regard  to  the  numbers  of 
the  vertebrae.  The  group  is  apparently  one  of  comparatively  recent 
origin,  and  the  differential  characters  do  not  seem  to  have  become 
very  firmly  fixed.  On  the  other  hand,  the  extremes  of  the  group 
(as  E.  pellucidum  or  E.  microperca)  have  diverged  very  far  from 
their  perch-like  ancestors. 

The  relations  of  the  Darters  to  the  Perches  have  been  aptly  ex- 
pressed by  Dr.  Stephen  A.  Forbes :  "  Given  a  supply  of  certain 
kinds  of  food  nearly  inaccessible  to  the  ordinary  fish,  it  is  to  be  ex- 
pected that  some  fishes  will  become  especially  fitted  for  its  utiliza- 

l  For  an  account  of  the  osteology  of  this  group,  see  Jordan  &  Eigenmann,  Proc. 
U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  1885,  68.  For  a  popular  account  of  the  habits  of  the  species,  see 
Jordan  &  Copeland  on  "Johnny  Darters,"  in  "Science  Sketches." 


122  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

tion.  Thus  Etheostoma  is  to  be  explained  by  the  hypothesis  of 
the  progressive  adaptation  of  the  young  of  certain  Percince  to  a 
peculiar  place  of  refuge  and  a  peculiarly  situated  food  supply. 
These  are  the  mountaineers  among  fishes.  Forced  from  the  popu- 
lous and  fertile  valleys  of  the  river  beds  and  lake  bottoms,  they 
have  taken  refuge  from  their  enemies  in  the  rocky  highlands,  where 
the  free  waters  play  in  ceaseless  torrents,  and  there  they  have 
wrested  from  stubborn  nature  a  meagre  living.  Although  diminished 
in  size  by  their  constant  struggle  with  the  elements,  they  have  de- 
veloped an  activity  and  hardihood,  a  vigor  of  life  and  a  glow  of 
high  color,  almost  unknown  among  the  easier  livers  of  the  lower 
lands.  Notwithstanding  their  trivial  size,  they  do  not  seem  to  be 
dwarfed  so  much  as  concentrated  fishes." 

Their  colors  are  often  very  brilliant,  the  males  of  some  species 
being  among  the  most  brilliant  fishes  known.  The  sexes  are  usually 
unlike;  the  females  being  generally  dull  and  speckled.  They 
usually  prefer  clear  running  water,  where  they  lie  on  the  bottom 
concealed  under  stones,  darting,  when  frightened  or  hungry,  with 
great  velocity  for  a  short  distance,  by  a  movement  of  the  large  pec- 
torals, then  stopping  as  suddenly.  They  rarely  leave  the  bottom, 
and  are  never  seen  suspended  in  the  water.  A  few  species  prefer 
a  sandy  bottom,  where  they  lie  buried  in  the  sand,  with  only  the 
eyes  visible.  The  Darters  feed  chiefly  on  the  larva  of  Diptera. 
The  largest  reach  a  length  of  8  inches,  but  the  average  is  about  2£ 
inches.  (The  name  Etheostoma  is  said  by  Rafinesque  to  mean 
"  various  mouths  "  (eWpos,  various ;  oTo/xa,  mouth  ?),  the  three  species 
known  to  him  caprodes,  blennioides,  and  flabellare,  differing  much 
in  this  respect.) 

a.  Body  extremely  elongate,  hyaline,  subterete,  the  belly  mostly  naked; 
lateral  line  complete;  head,  long,  pointed;  gill  membranes  somewhat 
united. 

6.  Premaxillaries  protractile ;  dorsal  spines  7  to  11. 
c.  Anal  spine  single;    A.  nearly  as  large  as  2d  D.     (Ammocrypta l 

Jordan  =  Pleurolepis  Baird.) 
d.  Cheeks  and  opercles  scaly. 

322.  E.  pellucidum  Baird.  SAND  DARTER.  Scales  of  body 
not  very  rough,  only  those  along  lateral  line  and  on  tail  well  imbri- 
cated ;  nape  thinly  scaled,  becoming  usually  wholly  naked  on  median 
line ;  belly  naked ;  maxillary  barely  reaching  the  large  eye ;  P. 
short.  Translucent,  finely  dotted  above ;  a  series  of  small  square 
olive  blotches  along  back,  and  another  along  lateral  line,  the  latter 
connected  by  a  gilt  band ;  fins  pale.  Head  4^ ;  depth  7.  D.  X- 10. 
A.  I,  8.  Scales  6-75 -X.  Vert.  44.  L.  2J.  Ohio  Valley  and 
N.  W.,  abounding  in  clear  sandy  streams,  where  it  buries  itself  in 
the  sand  by  a  sudden  plunge,  and  lies  with  only  the  eyes  uncovered. 
1  a/xju.05,  sand ;  ttpvirros,  concealed. 


PERCID.E.  —  LXin. 


V 

123 


From  Ind.  W.  and  S.  occurs  var.  clarum  (Jordan  &  Meek). 
Differs  from  \a,r.pellucidum  in  having  no  scales  along  nuchal  region, 
and  none  on  sides  anteriorly  except  the  5  or  6  rows  along  lateral 
line.  Cheeks  with  few  scales. 

From  S.  111.,  S.,  and  W.  is  found  var.  vivax  (Hay),  better  scaled 
than  var.  pellucidwn,  the  region  before  dorsal  being  more  or  less 
closely  covered  with  scales ;  scales  firmer  and  rougher ;  a  dusky 
bar  across  base  of  soft  dorsal. 

cc.  Anal  spines  two ;  anal  small.    (loa1  Jordan  &  Brayton.) 

323.  E.  vitreum   (Cope).     Side  of  head  closely  covered  with 
large,   rough-ctenoid  scales;  middle  and  lower  part  of  side  with 
rough  scales,  breast  and  part  of  belly  naked  as  is  front  of  back ; 
fins  low ;  P.  long.     Translucent,  with  small  dark  spots  on  back  and 
sides;  fins  plain.     Head  4J;  depth  7.     D.  VII  to  IX -11  to  13. 
A.  II,  7.     Scales  60.     L.  2.     Va.  and  N.  C.,  common  in  Neuse  R. 
(Lat,  glassy.) 

bb.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile;  dorsal  spines  14;  anal  fin  large.    (Crys- 
tallaria2  Jordan  £  Gilbert.) 

324.  E.  asprellus  (Jordan).    Eyes  very  large ;  mouth  moderate ; 
cheeks   and   opercles  well  scaled;  nape  scaly;   throat  and   belly 
naked;  fins  large;    C.  lunate;   hyaline  olive;  sides  with  10  dark 
quadrate  blotches,  small  and  far  apart ;  body  sometimes  with  4  or  5 
broad  dark  cross-bands;  fins  plain;  a  dusky  shade  through  eye. 
Head  4^;  depth  7.    D.  XIV -13.    A.I,  12.    Scales  7-93- X.    L.  4. 
S.  Ind.  (Rising  Sun;  O.  P.  Jenkins)  to  111.,  Ala.,  and  Ark.,  in  clear 
water,  much  the  largest  of  the  hyaline  or  "  sand  "  Darters,  approach- 
ing the  type  of  E.  aspro.     (Diminutive  of  Aspro.) 

aa.  Body  less  elongate,  not  hyaline,  almost  entirely  covered  with  scales. 
e.  Premaxillaries  protractile. 
/.  Anal  spine  single,  obscure;  dorsal  spines  usually  9;  anal  smaller  than 

soft  dorsal. 

g.  Lateral  line  complete  or  very  nearly  so.    (Boleosoma3  DeKay.) 
h.  Soft  dorsal  with  12  to  14  rays, 
t.  Cheeks  and  opercles  scaly;  D.  IX -14. 

325.  E.  olmstedi  Storer.     Body  rather  slender;  fins  very  high; 
the  spines  weak ;  nape  and  breast  usually  naked  (closely  scaled  in 
var.  atromaculatum  Girard,  Cayuga  L.  and  S.)  ;  olivaceous;  sides 
with  blotches  and  zigzag  markings ;  fins  speckled ;  head  black  in 
males  in  spring.     Head  4 ;  depth  5^.     A.  I,  9.     Lat.  1.  50.     L.  3^. 
Mass,  to  W.  N.  Y.,  S.  to  Ga.,  abundant ;  probably  a  variety  of  the 
next.     (To  Mr.  Olmsted  who  discovered  the  species  in  the  Conn. 
Valley.) 

ii.  Cheeks  almost  always  naked ;  opercles  scaly;  breast  naked. 

i  id<?,  arrow.  -  KpvoroAAos,  crystal.  3  /SoAi's,  dart ;  crw/xa,  body. 


124  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

j.  Scales  about  5-50-9;  D.  IX -12;  lateral  line  often  incomplete  behind; 
fins  moderate. 

326.  E.  nigrum  Rafinesque.     "  JOHNNY."     Body  slender,  fusi- 
form ;  snout  somewhat  decurved ;  mouth  small,  sub-inferior ;  pale 
olive,  back  speckled  with  brown ;  sides  with  numerous  W-shaped 
blotches ;  males  in  spring  dusky  anteriorly,  sometimes  entirely  black. 
Head  4J;  depth  5.     D.  IX- 12.     A.  I,  8.     Vert.  15  -f  22  =  37. 
L.  2^.     Dakota  to  W.  Penn.  and  Mo.,  very  abundant  in  small 
brooks.     (Boleosoma  maculatum  Agassiz.) 

yy.  Scales  about  5-40-6;  dorsal  rays  IX -13;  lateral  line  complete; 
fins  very  high. 

327.  E.  effulgens  (Girard).    Snout  much  decurved ;  brown,  with 
9  spots  on  side ;  fins  black ;  2d  D.  and  C.  with  white  specks.     Head 
4£ ;  depth  5^.     L.  2£.     Penn.  to  N.  C.,  probably  a  variety  of  B. 
nigrum.     (?  B.  cesopus  Cope;  D.  VII -14.)     (Lat.,  shining.) 

hh.  Soft  dorsal  with  10  or  11  rays. 
i.  Cheeks  naked ;  opercles  scaly;  scales  4-35-6. 

328.  E.  vexillare  Jordan.     Body  rather  stout;   nape   naked; 
snout  decurved;   fins  very  high;    £  dusky  olive,  faintly  barred; 
2d  D.  and  C.  with  pale  spots ;  other  fins  mostly  black.     Head  4  ; 
depth  5.     D.  VIII -10.     A.  I,  7.     L.  2£.     Rappahannock  R.,  Va., 
one  specimen  known.     (L.,  bearing  a  standard.) 

u.  Cheeks  and  opercles  wholly  naked;  scales  in  lateral  line  45. 

329.  E.  susanae  (Jordan  &  Swain).     Very  slender;  head  short 
and  small,  the  snout  decurved ;  head,  nape,  breast,  and  middle  of 
belly  naked  ;  fins  low.      Color  of  E.  nigrum.      Head  4^ ;  depth  6^. 
D.  VIII -10.     A.  I,  8.     L.  2.    Cumberland  R.,  abundant  in  S.  Ky. 
(To  Mrs.  Susan  Bowen  Jordan.) 

gg.  Lateral  line  ceasing  near  middle  of  body.    (Vaillantia  J  Jordan.) 

330.  E.  chlorosoma  (Hay).    Body  slender,  with  long  tail ;  back 
somewhat  elevated ;  mouth  small,  inferior,  the  snout  strongly  de- 
curved  ;  cheeks,  opercles  and  breast  scaly,  nape  naked ;  fins  small. 
Olivaceous,  the  back  spotted ;  about  ten  dark  spots  on  sides ;  a  dark 
opercular  spot ;  head  spotted  above ;  D.  and  C.  barred.     Head  4^ ; 
depth  5J.     D.  X-10.     A.  1,  8.     Scales  5-56-10.     Vert.  38.     L.  2£. 
111.  to  Ala.  and  Ark.,  common  S.  W.    (Boleosoma  camurum  Forbes). 
(xXeapoff,  green  ;  crayta,  body.) 

ff.  Anal  spines  two,  well  developed,  the  first  usually  the  longer. 

m.  Gill  membranes  more  or  less  broadly  united;  belly  with  ordinary 

scales. 
w.  Maxillary  normal,  free  from  the  preorbital.   (Ulocentra  2  Jordan.) 

1  To  Leon  Vaillant,  author  of  a  monograph  of  the  Darters. 
8  ovAos,  complete  ;  Ktvrpov,  spine. 


PERCID.E.  —  LXIII.  125 

331.  E.  simoterum  (Cope).     Body  short  and  deep ;  head  small, 
the  snout  very  obtuse ;  cheeks,  opercles  and  breast  scaly.     Oliva- 
ceous ;  back  and  sides  each  with  a  series  of  quadrate,  blackish  green 
blotches ;  belly  saffron ;  upper  parts  with  red  spots ;  1  st  D.  with 
red   spots  and  orange-red  edge;   2d  D.  largely  red;   C.  brown, 
barred ;  male  in  spring  with  head  and  fins  largely  dusky.     Head 
4£;  depth  4.      D.  X-ll.      A.  II,  7.      Scales  10-52-12.     Vert.  38. 
L.  3.      Tennessee  and  Cumberland  basins.     (Ulocentra  atripinnis 
Jordan.)     (ai/ios,  snub-nosed.) 

nn.  Maxillary  adnate  to  the  preorbital  for  most  of  its  length,  and  there- 
fore nearly  immovable;  mouth  very  small,  inferior;  no  teeth  on 
vomer.  (Diplesion  1  Rafinesque. ) 

332.  E.  blennioides  Rafinesque.   GREEN-SIDED  DARTER.  Body 
elongate,  little  compressed,  the  head  thick,  its  profile  very  convex ; 
eyes  large,  high  up,  close  together ;  cheeks,  opercles  and  neck  scaly ; 
breast  naked ;  spines  strong.      Olive  green,  mottled  above ;  sides 
with  8  double  transverse  bars,  each  pair  forming  a  Y-shaped  figure 
of  a  deep  green  color ;   sides  with  orange  dots ;   fins  blue  green, 
marked  with  orange  red;    9   duller.     Head  4J;   depth  4|.     D. 
XIII -13.     A.  II,  8.     Lat.  1.  65  to  78.     Vert.  42.     L.  5.     Penn. 
to  Ala.  and  Kans.,  common,  one  of  the  prettiest  of  the  darters. 
(Blennius,  eiSoy,  like.) 

mm.  Gill  membranes  scarcely  connected ;  anal  usually  not  smaller  than 

second  D. 

o.  Belly  with  enlarged  scales  on  middle  line;  these  falling  off,  leaving 
a  naked  strip.    (Cottogaster  2  Putnam.) 

333.  E.  copelandi  (Jordan).     Body  slender;  head  large,  nar- 
rowed  in   front;   mouth   small,    subinferior,  the   snout   decurved ; 
cheeks  and  breast  naked ;  opercles  and  nape  with  few  scales.    Pale 
olive,  speckled  above,  a  series  of  horizontally  oblong  black  blotches 
along  lateral  line ;  fins  somewhat  barred,  dusky  in  <£  ;  a  black  spot 
on  front  of  first  D.      Head  4}  ;  depth  5£.      D.  XI- 10.      A.  II,  9. 
Lat.  1.  56.      Vert.  18  -{-  20  =  38.     L.  2£.     White  R.,  Ind.,  to  Ark. 
(To  the  late  Herbert  Edson  Copeland,  the  discoverer  of  the  species, 
and  one  of  the  most  careful  and  enthusiastic  students  of  these  fishes.) 

334.  E.  putnami  (Jordan  &  Gilbert).     Close  to  the  preceding, 
but  with  larger  scales ;  lateral  spots  quadrate ;  spinous  D.  with  a 
dusky  band.     Head  4;  depth  6.     D.  XI -11.    A.  II,  8.     Lat  1.  44 
to  48.    L.  2£.     L.  Champlain  to  L.  Huron.    (To  Frederick  Ward 
Putnam.) 

oo.  Belly  with  ordinary  scales  posteriorly,  its  anterior  part  naked. 

(Imostoma  3  Jordan.) 
q.  P.  extremely  long,  1£  times  length  of  head,  reaching  front  of  A. 

1  Si's,  two  ;  n\v\<Tiov,  near,  i.  e.  nearly  two  dorsals. 

2  Cottus,  -yoonjp,  belly.  8  €i/xt,  to  move ;  ord/aa,  mouth. 


126  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. —  XX. 

335.  E.  longimane  Jordan.      Body  moderately  slender ;   head 
long,  bluntish  anteriorly,  profile  of  snout  steep  and  nearly  straight ; 
mouth  moderate,  included ;  maxillary  to  front  of  eye ;  cheeks  nearly 
or  quite  naked ;  opercles  somewhat  scaly,  nape  naked ;  dorsals  very 
high ;  A.  spines  small.      Olivaceous,  with  5  dark  cross-shades ;  a 
dark  spot  at  base  C.,  fins  nearly  plain.     Head  4  ;  depth  5.      D.  IX 
or  X-12  or  13.     A.  II,  8.     Scales  6-43-7.    L.  2J.    James  R.,  Va. 
(Lat.,  longus,  long ;  manus,  hand.) 

qq.  P.  moderate,  not  reaching  A. 

336.  E.   shumardi  (Girard).      Body  robust ;   head  broad  and 
thick ;  mouth  large,  scarcely  inferior ;   cheeks,  opercles  and  nape 
scaly;   breast  naked;   fins  all  large.     Dark   olive,   blotched  with 
darker ;  sides  with  8  to  10  vague  bars  ;  a  small  black  spot  on  front 
of  spinous  D. ;  a  large  one  behind ;  fins  barred ;  suborbital  stripe 
large,  black.      Head  3f  ;  depth  5.     D.  X,  15.      A.  II,  11.     Scales 
6-56-11.     L.  3.      Wabash  R.  to  Ark.,  in  larger   streams.      (To 
Dr.  George  C.  Shumard.) 

ee.  Premaxillaries  not  protractile  (the  skin  of  the  middle  of  the  lower  jaw 

continuous  with  that  of  the  forehead). 

p.  Cranium  broad  between  the  eyes;  snout  conic,  pig-like,  projecting  be- 
yond the  inferior  mouth;  ventral  line  with  a  series  of  larger  scales 
which  fall  off,  leaving  a  naked  strip;  dorsal  spines  13  to  15;  gill 
membranes  separate ;  scales  small ;  vertebrae  23  +  21  =  44.  (Per- 
cina !  Haldeman.) 

337.  E.    caprodes    Rafinesque.       LOG    PERCH.       HOG-FISH. 
CRAWL- A-BOTTOM.     Body  elongate;   fins  rather  low;  cheeks  and 
opercles  scaly.      Yellowish  green  with  about  15  dark  cross-bands, 
these  usually  alternating  with  shorter  and  fainter  bands ;  a  black 
spot  at  base  of  C. ;  fins  barred.     Head  4;  depth  6.     D.  XV -15. 
A.  II,  9.     Lat.  1.  92.     L.  6  to  8.     Great  Lakes  to  Va.,  Ala.,  and 
Texas,  abundant,  the  largest  of  the  darters,  and  the  one  most 
nearly  allied  to  the  Perch  and  similar  fishes.      N.  and  E.  occurs 
var.  zebra  Agassiz,  with  nape  naked,  etc. ;   the  ordinary  form  is 
scaly.     (KaTT/joy,  the  wild  boar  ;  eii&op,  like.) 

pp.  Cranium  not  broad  between  the  eyes;  mouth  less  inferior,  the  snout 

usually  not  projecting  much  beyond  it. 

r.  Ventral  line  with  the  median  series  of  scales  more  or  less  enlarged 
or  (if  these  are  fallen)  with  a  naked  strip;  anal  fin  large;  lateral 
line  complete. 
s.  Palatine  teeth  present;  dorsal  spines  11  to  15. 

q.  Preopercle  strictly  entire;  gill  membranes  scarcely  united  across 

isthmus.    (Alvordius  2  Girard.) 
t.  Cheeks  and  opercles  wholly  naked  ;  head  large  and  long. 

338.  E.  macrocephalum  Cope.     Body  slender ;  head  eel-like ; 
maxillary  reaching  eye.     Brown,  back  with  dark  quadrate  spots; 

1  Dim.  of  Perca.  »  To  General  Benjamin  Alvord,  U.  S.  A. 


PERCID.E.  —  LXIIL  127 

sides  with  9  blackish  oblong  spots,  alternating  with  smaller  ones  ; 
fins  mottled;  1st  D.  with  median  dark  band.  Head  3£;  depth 
7.  D.  XV-  13.  A.  II,  11.  Scales  11-77-15.  L.  3.  Ohio  Valley, 
rare  W.  (pciKpos,  large  ;  jce^aAiJ,  head.) 


tt.  Cheeks  naked;   opercles  scaly  above  only;  nape  and  breast  naked-, 
muzzle  blunt. 

339.  E.  peltatum  Stauffer.    Body  rather  stout  ;  mouth  moderate, 
maxillary  reaching  eye  ;  ventral  shields  large.    Olive,  the  back  with 
short  cross-bars  ;  sides  with  broad  brownish  shades  ;  a  dark  blotch 
on  neck  and  opercle  ;  snout  and  space  below  eye  with  the  usual 
bars  ;  fins  barred  ;  1st  D.  with  a  black  band.      Head  4  ;  depth  5. 

D.  XII,   12.      A.  II,  8.      Scales  7-53-9.     L.  4.     Penn.  to  S.  C., 

E.  of  Mts.     (E.  nevisense  Cope;  Alv.  crassus  Jor.  &  Brayton.) 
(Lat.,  having  shields.) 

tit.  Cheeks  usually  with  small  scales  ;  opercles  with  'larger  ones. 
u.  Head  not  very  slender,  the  muzzle  moderate,  the  lower  jaw  in- 
cluded. 

340.  E.  aspro    (Cope    &    Jordan).      BLACK-SIDED    DARTER. 
Body  fusiform,  rather  elongate  ;  maxillary  reaching  just  past  front 
of  eye;  breast  naked;  nape  scaly  or  not.     Greenish  yellow  with 
dark  tessellations   and  marblings   above  and  about  7  large  dark 
blotches  along  side,  more  or  less  confluent;  fins  barred;  a  small 
spot  at  base  C.     Head  4  ;  depth  6.    D.  XIII  to  XV,  12.     A.  II,  9. 
Scales  9-65-17.     Vert.  42.     L.  3  to  4.     W.  Penn.  to  Dakota  and 
Ark.,  abundant,  one  of  the  most  elegant  of  the  darters.     (Aspro,  a 
related  genus  of  European  Percidce,  from  Lat.  asper,  rough.) 

uu.  Head  very  slender,  with  long-acuminate  snout;  jaws  subequal. 

341.  E.  phoxocephalum  Nelson.     Body  slender;  mouth  large, 
maxillary   reaching  eye  ;    nape  scaly  ;    breast   naked.     Yellowish 
brown,  the  lateral  spots  smaller  than  in  E.  aspro  and  more  numer- 
ous, quadrate  in  form  ;  a  small  dark  spot  at  each  end  of  lateral  line. 
Head  4;   depth  5£.     D.  XII-  13.      A.   II.  9.     Scales   12-68-14. 
Vert.  39.     L.  4.     Ind.  to  Kans.  and  Ark.,  common  S.  W.     ($o£os, 
tapering  ;  Kc<pa\r),  head.) 

qq.  Preopercle  more  or  less  distinctly  serrate,  especially  in  the  young; 
gill  membranes  broadly  united.    (Serraria1  Gilbert.) 

342.  E.   scierum    (Swain).      Body  rather  stout;   head  short, 
bluntish  ;  mouth  small,  the  lower  jaw  shorter  ;  maxillary  not  reach- 
ing eye  ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly  ;  breast  partly  scaled  ;  scales  of 
median  line  of  belly  slightly  enlarged,  probably  deciduous  ;  fins  very 
large.     Yellowish  olive,  everywhere  vaguely  blotched  with  black, 
especially  along  sides  ;    £  with  head  and  most  fins  blackish  ;    9 
paler.    Head  4  ;  depth  5.   D.  XIII,  14.    A.  II,  9.    Scales  7-C5-11. 

1  Lat.,  serra,  saw. 


128  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

Vert.  40.  L.  4.  Ind  to  Ark.  and  Texas.  S.  W.  occurs  var.  ser- 
rula  J.  &  G.,  with  preopercle  more  sharply  serrate  ;  markings  more 
definite;  lat.  1.  68  to  71  ;  breast  naked.  Resembles  E.  aspro, 
(<TKi(p6s,  shaded.) 

$s.  Palatine  teeth  obsolete  ;    dorsal  spines  10  to  12  ;  <?  with  the  lower 
fins  tuberculate  in  spring.    (Ericosma1  Jordan.) 

343.  E.  evides  (Jordan  &  Copeland).  Body  rather  stout,  com- 
pressed ;  head  heavy,  rather  blunt  forward  ;  eye  large  ;  mouth 
smallish,  the  maxillary  reaching  eye  ;  lower  jaw  included  ;  cheeks, 
nape  and  breast  naked  ;  ventral  scales  moderate  ;  fins  large.  Dark 
olive,  tessellated  above  ;  back  with  7  broad  transverse  bars  which 
extend  below  lateral  line  ;  these  bars  are  black  in  9  >  with  yellowish 
interspaces  ;  in  <£  deep  blue-green,  the  interspaces  yellow  with 
copper-red  blotches  ;  throat,  cheeks,  upper  fins,  and  two  spots  at 
base  C.,  largely  orange  ;  A.  and  V.  chiefly  blue-black  ;  fins  not 
barred  ;  a  black  spot  on  last  D.  spines  ;  9  with  paler  colors.  Head 
4J;  depth  5£.  D.  XI  -11.  A.  II,  8.  Scales  9-65-9.  Vert.  40. 
L.  3.  Ind.  to  Iowa  and  Ark;  one  of  the  most  brilliant  of  the 
darters,  (evftb^s,  comely.) 


rr.  Ventral  line  covered  with  ordinary  scales,  which  are  never  shed  in 

life. 

v.  Lateral  line  complete2  (with  rare  exceptions;  see  E.  nianguce). 
w.  Anal  fin  large,2  little  if  any  smaller  than  the  soft  dorsal. 
x.  Gill  membranes  nearly  2  separate  from  each  other.    (Hadropte- 

rus  3  Agassiz.) 
y.  Scales  very  small,  lat.  1.  about  85. 

344.  E.  aurantiacum  (Cope).      Elongate  ;    snout  longer  than 
eye  ;  lower  jaw  included  ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly  ;  throat  smooth. 
Golden  brown,  a  series  of  small  round  brown  spots  traversed  by  a 
black  lateral  band  which  extends  around  snout  ;  yellow  below  ;  fins 
plain.    Head  4  J  ;  depth  6.    D.  XV  -15.    A.  II,  11.    L.  4J.    Upper 
Tenn.  R.     (Lat.,  orange.) 

yy.  Scales  moderate,  lat.  1.  55  to  75. 

345.  E.  cymatotaenia  Gilbert  &  Meek.     Body  robust;   head 
short,  the  snout  short  and  slender  ;  mouth  small,  oblique,  included  ; 
maxillary  nearly  to  front  of  eye  ;    eye  large,  4  in  head  ;  cheeks, 
opercles,  nape  and  breast  with  large  scales  ;  preopercle  entire  ;  gill 
membranes  narrowly  joined,  the  degree  of  union  variable,  usually 
very  slight;  1st  A.  spine  long  and  strong;   P.  short.     Greenish, 
with  fine  dark  points  ;  two  pale  streaks  along  sides,  below  the  lower 
a  broad  dusky  wavy  band  ;  a  small  black  spot  at  base  C.  ;  fins  trans- 

i  TIP,  spring-  time  ;  Koo-^ew,  to  adorn. 

*  These  characters  are  none  of  them  of  high  importance  and  are  subject  to  some 
variations. 

8  aSpo?,  Strong  ;  nrep6v,  fin. 


PERCH),*:.  —  LXIII.  129 

lucent,  with  dark  lines.  Head  4J;  depth  5  D.  XII  to  XIV -13. 
A.  II,  10.  Scales  7-64  to  70-12.  L.  4.  Ozark  region,  S.  Mo. 
(*t;/ia,  wave ;  raivia,  band.) 

346.  E.  nianguae  Gilbert  &  Meek.     Body  elongate,  terete ;  head 
very  long  and  slender,  the  snout  deep  and  narrow,  vertically  rounded 
at  tip ;  mouth  large,  maxillary  beyond  front  of  orbit ;   eye  shorter 
than  snout,  5^  in  head ;  cheeks  with  a  few  rudimentary  scales ; 
opercles  and  breast  naked ;   nape  scaled ;  A.  rather  smaller  than 
2d  D. ;  1st  A.  sp.  short.     Olivaceous,  the  back  with  8  to  10  wide 
dusky  cross-bars,  which  extend  on  sides ;    g  with  the  dark  bars 
encircling  body ;  back  and  sides  with  carmine-red  spots  in  the  pale 
interspaces,  most  numerous  in  $  ;   two  black  spots  at  base  C. ;   1st 
D.  dusky,  spotted  with  red,  and  with  red  edge ;   other  fins  mostly 
mottled  with  red.      Head  3|;  depth  6.      D.  XI  or  XII -13  or 
14.    A.  II,  11  or  12.     Scales  11-74-16.     L.  3f.     Niangua  R.,  S. 
Mo.  Var.  spilotum  Gilbert,  from  Kentucky  R.  is  similar,  but  with 
the   scales  much  larger  (lat.  1.  58  to  60),  and  the  lateral  line 
incomplete. 

xx.  Gill  membranes  more  or  less  broadly  united. 
z.  Scales  very  small,  10-82-18;  preopercle  entire. 

347.  E.  squamatum  Gilbert  &  Swain.     Body  elongate,  the  head 
long  and  slender,  the  snout  long-acuminate ;  mouth  long  and  nar- 
row, the  lower  jaw  included ;  maxillary  to  front  of  eye ;  eye  moder- 
ate; 1st  D.  low;  A.  high,  its  spines  strong;  cheeks,  breast,  nape, 
and  opercle  scaly ;  an  enlarged  black  humeral  scale.     Yellow-olive, 
with  10  broad  dusky  bars  on  back,  and  10  dark  blotches  along  sides; 
a  small  black  spot  at  base  C. ;  1st  D.  pale,  with  broad,  orange  band ; 
2d  D.  and  C.  barred  with  dusky  and  orange.     Head  3f ;  depth  5^. 
D.  XIV -13.     A.  II,  10.     L.  4.     French  Broad  R.     (Lat.,  scaly.) 

22!.  Scales  large,   8-51-9  ;  mouth  small,   low,   horizontal  (transition  to 
"  Nanostoma").    (Po3Cilich.th.ys1  Agassiz.) 

348.  E.  variatum  Kirtland.    Body  rather  robust,  the  head  short 
and  thick,  with  short  blunt  snout,  the  anterior  profile  convex;  eyes 
large,  3|  in  head ;   maxillary  to  front  of  eye  (4  in  head) ;   top  of 
head  rugose ;  head  almost  naked ;  nape  and  breast  scaled ;  fins  all 
very  large ;  A.  large,  a  little  smaller  than  soft  D. ;  P.  reaching  front 
of  A. ;   £  dusky  greenish,  finely  punctate ;   belly  and  sides  orange 
yellow;   posterior  part  of  body  with  5  orange  bands;    1st  D.  with 
dark  blue  band ;    2d  D.,  A.  and  P.  blue-black,  shaded  with  orange ; 
9  paler.     Head  3|;   depth  4f     D.  XIII -13.     A.  II,  9.     L.  4. 
Ohio  Valley,  scarce.     (Lat.,  variegated.) 

ww.  Anal  fin  rather  small,  notably  smaller  than  soft  dorsal, 
a.  Gill  membranes  broadly  united  across  the  isthmus;  mouth  small,  sub- 
inferior.    (Nanostoma  2  Putnam.) 

1  TTouciAo?,  variegated  ;  i\9vs,  fish. 
8  vavfc,  small  ;  oro/ma,  mouth. 
9 


130  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTEEI.  —  XX. 

349.  E.  zonale  (Cope).     Body  slender;  head  small  and  short, 
the  snout  obtusely  decurved ;   cheeks  and  opercles  scaly ;   breast 
scaly,  or  naked  (var.  arcansanum  Jordan  &  Gilbert)  ;   teeth  feeble ; 
dorsals  separate.     Olivaceous ;    6  brown  quadrate  spots  on  back, 
connected  by  alternating  spots  with  a  broad,  brown  lateral  band, 
from  which  8  narrower  dark  bluish  bands  nearly  or  quite  encircle 
the  belly ;  P.,  A.  and  C.  golden,  speckled  with  brown ;   middle  half 
of  1st  D.  crimson;   base  of  2d  D.  with  round  red  spots;  a  black 
spot  on  opercle  and  one  at  base  P. ;    9  duller,  with  V.  barred. 
Head  4£;  depth  5.     D.  XI -12.    A.  II,  7.     Scales  6-43  to  50-12. 
Vert.  39.     L.  2£.     W.  Penn.  to  Kans.  and  Miss.,  in  clear  streams ; 
variable.    (Lat.,  belted.) 

aa.  Gill  membranes  scarcely  united.     (Nothonotus l  Agassiz.) 
b.  'Head  short,  the  muzzle  abruptly  decurved;  scales  7-53-8 ;  2d  D.,  A.  and 
C.  black  edged. 

350.  B.  camurum  (Cope).     BLUE-BREASTED  DARTER.     Body 
stout ;  mouth  somewhat  inferior ;  C.  truncate.  $  blackish  olive,  breast 
and  throat  deep  rich  blue  ;  sides  profusely  sprinkled  with  crimson 
dots ;  faint  dark  lines  along  rows  of  scales ;  1st  D.  with  a  black  spot 
in  front,  above  and  behind  which  is  a  crimson  one ;  2d  D.,  A.,  and  C. 
crimson,  bordered  with  yellow  and  then  by  blue-black ;  P.  and  V. 
crimson-edged;    9   greenish,  faintly  barred.     Head  4;    depth  4£. 
D.  XI -13.     A.  II,  8.     Scales,  7-53-8.     L.  2£.     Ind.  to  Tenn.,  in 
clear  streams,  perhaps  the  most  beautifully  colored  of  all  our  fresh- 
water fishes.     (Lat.,  blunt-headed.) 

bb.  Head  rather  long  and  pointed,  the  snout  not  decurved. 
c.  Dorsal  spines  10  or  12. 
d.  Scales  9-58-10 ;  vertical  fins  without  black  border. 

351.  B.  maculatum  Kirtland.     Body  moderately  elongate,  with 
very  deep  tail ;  eye  large ,  maxillary  to  front  of  eye ;  fins  short ; 
1st  A.  spine  large.     Olive  black,  with  a  wavy  leather-colored  dorsal 
band;  throat  blue;  back  and  sides  with  crimson  spots;  1st  D.  with 
a  black  spot  at  base  in  front ;  2d  D.  blood-red ;  C.  with  two  con- 
fluent crimson  spots  at  base ;   P.  and  V.  without  red  border ;   9 
dull,  the  fins  speckled  and  without  red.     Head  4 ;  depth  5|.     D. 
XII -12.     A.  II,  9.     Scales  9-58-10.     Vert.  39.     L.  2£.     W.Penn. 
to  E.  Tenn.,  scarce.    (Pcec.  sanguifluus  Cope.) 

dd.  Scales  6-45-7:  A.  and  C.  narrowly  black-edged. 

352.  E.  rufolineatum  (Cope).     Stout,  the  back  elevated ;  snout 
short,  as  long  as  the  small  eye ;  tail  deep.     Olive,  with  numerous 
narrow  longitudinal  streaks  including  irregular  quadrate  spots  of 
brick-red ;  breast  blue ;  belly  orange ;  head  with  2  brown  bands,  and 
5  red  spots  on  each  side ;  fins  all  broadly  bordered  with  crimson ; 
two  orange  spots  at  base  C. ;  A.  scarlet-yellow  at  base,  edge  black ; 

s,  prominent ;  VWTO?,  back 


PERCID.E.  —  LXIII.  131 

9  olivaceous,  barred ;  fins  speckled.  Head  4 ;  depth  4J.  D.  XI  -1 2. 
A.  II,  8.  Scales  6-45-7.  L.  3.  French  Broad  R.  (Lat.,  rufus, 
red ;  linea,  line.) 

cc.  Dorsal  spines  14;  scales  8-53-9. 

353.  B.  vulneratum  (Cope).     Body  stout,  fusiform  ;  tail  deep ; 
form  of  E.  maculatum.     Light  olive  with  8  dark  bars,  interrupted 
above,  and  a  few  crimson  spots;  fins  mostly  plain;  1st  D.  with  a 
series  of  red  spots ;  C.  orange,  with  narrow  black  edge,  as  has  also 
2d  D.     Head  4 ;  depth  4£.     D.  XIV  - 13.    A.  II,  8.     L.  2.    French 
Broad  R.  (possibly  the  young  of  E.  camuntm).     (Lat.,  wounded.) 

w.  Lateral  line  incomplete  or  wanting  (sometimes  nearly  or  quite  com- 
plete in  E.jessice.) 
e.  Lateral  line  developed  anteriorly. 
/.  Gill  membranes  broadly  united  (Etheostoma). 

g.  Head  entirely  naked;  lower  jaw  prominent;  lateral  line  developed 
about  half  way. 

354.  E.  flabellare  Rafinesque.     Body  long  and  low,  the  back 
not  arched;  head  long  and  pointed;  fins  low;  1st  D.  in  £  half  as 
high  as  2d  ;  the  spines  with  fleshy  tips ,  spines  higher  in    9  ;  nape 
and  throat  naked.     A  conspicuous  black  humeral  scale.     Dusky 
olive,  with  dark  longitudinal  streaks,  $  with  dark  cross-bars  ;  2d  D. 
and  C.  sharply  barred;  1st  D.  in  £  tipped  with  orange.     Head  4 ; 
depths.     D.  VIII -12.     A.  II,  8.     Scales,   7-50-7.     Vert.   13 -f- 
20  =  33.     L.  2J.     W.  N".  Y.  to  N.  C.,  and  W.  in  clear  streams, 
abundant  and  variable ;  the  typical  form  from  Ind.  E.    Var.  lineola- 
tum  Ag.,  from  Ind.  N.  W.,  has  a  black  spot  on  each  scale,  these  marks 
forming  very  conspicuous  stripes  along  side.     Var.  cumberlandicum 
Jordan  &  Swain,  from  Cumberland  R.,  has  thicker  head,  and  the 
adult  is  almost  plain  olivaceous,  except  for  the  black  humeral  spot 
and  the  barred  fins.     This  is  the  most  active  and  wary  of  the  dart- 
ers, and  the  most  hardy  in  the  aquarium.     (Lat.,  flabellum,  a  fan  ; 
i.  e.,  fan-tailed.) 

gg.  Head  more  or  less  scaty. 

h.  Cheeks,  opercles,  nape,  and  breast  scaly;  jaws  equal;  lateral  line 
nearly  complete. 

355.  E.  squamiceps  Jordan.     Body  less  elongate  than  in  the 
preceding,  the  head  shorter  and  thicker.     Dusky  olive,   without 
well-defined  marks ;    £  mottled,  with  6  cross-blotches  and  the  lower 
fins  black ;  vertical  fins  cross-barred ;  a  black  humeral  spot.     Head 
3|;  depth  5.     D.  IX -12.     A.  II,  7.     Scales  5-50-6.     L.  3.     S. 
Ind.  to  W.  Fla.     (Lat.,  squama,  scale ;  ceps,  head.) 

hh.  Cheeks  naked,  or  with  embedded  scales;  opercles  scaly. 

356.  E.  whipplei  (Girard).      Body   rather   deep,  compressed, 
with  deep  tail ;  mouth  terminal,  oblique ;  maxillary  to  eye,  3^  in 
head.     Grayish,  mottled  with  darker  and  with  faint  bars;   sides 


132  TELEOSTEI:   ACANTHOPTERI. — XX. 

with  small  round  scarlet  spots  ;  two  orange  blotches  at  base  of  C. ; 
a  black  humeral  spot.  Dorsals  barred  with  dusky  and  orange  ;  A. 
similar,  more  orange ;  C.  barred,  its  margin  black.  Head  3£ ; 
depth  4f.  D.  IX  to  XII -12  to  14.  A.  II.  7.  Scales  8-60  to 
70 -X.  Vert.  36.  L.  2£.  Ozark  region  and  S.,  abundant.  (To 
Lieut.  A.  W.  Whipple,  U.  S.  A.) 

ff.  Gill  membranes  little  if  at  all  connected. 

*.  Lateral  line  nearly  straight,  not  arched  above  P.     (Oligocephalus  * 

Girard. ) 

j.  Humeral  region  with  a  small,  black,  scale-like  process. 
k.  Cheeks,  opercles,  and  nape  naked,  or  very  nearly  so. 

I.  Scales  small,  63  to  73  in  a  longitudinal  series;  mouth  large, 

terminal. 

357.  B.  sagitta  (Jordan  &  Swain).     Body  slender,  with  long 
tail ;  head  long,  very  slender,  the  snout  sharp ;  mouth  very  large, 
oblique ;  maxillary  reaching  front  of  pupil,  3£  in  head ;  jaws  sub- 
equal  ;  fins  high.     Green,  with  faint  olive  cross-bars ;  a  dark  spot 
at  base  of  C. ;  sides  with  orange  spots ;  fins  with  orange  shades. 
Head  3£;  depth  4|.     D-  X-13.     A.  I,  10.     Lat.  1.  68  (48  tubes). 
L.  2^.     Cumberland  R.,  Ky.     (Lat.,  arrow.) 

358.  E.  punctulatum  (Agassiz).     Body  slender,  the  snout  sharp, 
the  mouth  vertical ;  eye  large ;  fins  rather  low.     Dark  slaty  green, 
with  faint  dark  bars  ;  belly  orange  red ;  body  and  fins  profusely 
dusted  with  black  specks.     1st  D.  with  black  band;  other  fins  with 
wavy  bars  of  dark  specks.     Head  3| ,  depth  5f .     D.  X  or  XI  -  14. 
A.  II,  8  or  9.     Lat.  1.  63  to  73 ;  pores  50.     L.  2.     Ozark  region, 
S.  Mo.     (Lat.,  dotted.) 

II.  Scales  rather  large,  about  53  in  lat.  1. 

359.  E.  virgatum  (Jordan).     Form  and  appearance  of  E.fia- 
bellare ;   head  long-pointed ;    jaws   subequal ;    maxillary  reaching 
pupil;  preopercle  crenulate.     Greenish,  each  scale  with  a  dusky 
spot,  these  forming  lengthwise  stripes ;  sides  with  faint  bars.     D. 
and  C.  barred.     Head  3f ;  depth  5.     D.  IX- 10.     A.  II,  8.     L.  2J. 
Rock  Castle  R.,  Ky.     (Lat.,  striped.) 

Ick.  Cheeks,  opercles,  and  nape  scaly. 

360.  E.  boreale    (Jordan).     Body  rather  elongate,   the  head 
heavy,  the  snout  bluntly  decurved ;  mouth  small,  horizontal,  the 
lower  jaw  included ;  humeral  scale  small ;  lateral  line  very  short ; 
dorsals  short  and  small.     Gray  (in  spirits)  with  11   or  12  very 
distinct  (blue?)  cross-bands,  each  alternate  one  meeting  its  fellow 
below;  1st  D.  with  a  median  dark  band  ;  2d  D.  barred  ;    9  paler. 
Head  3f ;  depth  5f.   D.  VIII -9.    A.  II,  7.    Scales  4-53-10.   L.  2£. 
Montreal. 

jj.  Humeral  region  without  black  scale-like  process, 
i  oAi'yo?,  small; 


PERCID.E.  —  LXIII. 

m.  Cheeks  naked,  or  very  nearly  so ;  opercles  scaly. 

361.  E.   cceruleum   Storer.     RAINBOW    DARTER.      SOLDIER- 
FISH.     Body  rather  stout ;  head  large ;  mouth  moderate,  the  lower 
jaw  the  shorter,  the  maxillary  to  front  of  orbit ;  neck  and  breast 
usually  naked.     £  olivaceous,  blotched  above  with  darker;  sides 
with  about  12  oblique  bars  of  indigo-blue  running  downwards  and 
backwards,  the  interspaces  bright  orange ;    cheeks  blue ;    breast 
orange ;  fins  chiefly  orange  and  deep  blue ;   9  duller,  with  little  blue 
or  red,  the  vertical  fins  barred.     Head  3f ;  depth  4J.     D.  X-12. 
A.  II,  7.     Scales  5-45-8;  pores  33.     Vert.  15 -f  21  =  36.     L.  2J. 
W.  Penn.  to  Iowa  and  Ky.,  extremely  abundant ;  one  of  the  gaudi- 
est of  fishes.     Var.  spectabile  Agassiz,  Ind.  to  Kans.,  has  distinct 
dark  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales  on  back.     (Lat.,  blue.) 

mm.  Cheeks  and  opercles  more  or  less  scaly. 

362.  E.  jessiae  (Jordan  &  Brayton).   Body  fusiform,  rather  stout, 
compressed,  with  rather  deep  caudal  peduncle;  head  moderately 
pointed ;  mouth  terminal,  the  lower  jaw  included ;  cheeks  scaly  or 
partly  naked;  brownish,  with  cross-bars  or  blotches  o'f  greenish; 
sides  with  dark  blue  quadrate  cross-bars ;  fins  speckled  with  golden. 
Head  4;  depth  5.     D.  XII -12.     A.  II,  9.     Scales  6-47-7,  with 
tubes  on  35  scales.     Tenn.  to  Wabash  Valley,1  (Evermann)  Ills, 
and  E.  Texas.     (To  Mrs.  Jessie  Dewey  Brayton.) 

363.  E.  iowse  Jordan  &  Meek.     Similar  to  preceding,  but  slen- 
derer and  with  notably  smaller  scales.    Green,  blotched  with  darker ; 
first  D.  shaded  with  red,  its  edge  very  dark.     Head  3$ ;  depth  5J. 
D.  IX- 11.     A.  II,  7.     Scales  5-59-9.     L.  2.     S.  Iowa. 

364.  E.  saxatile  (Hay).    Form  of   E.  nigrum;   snout  slender 
and  sharp,  profile  gently  decurved ;  mouth  terminal ;  lower  jaw  in- 
cluded ;  body  slender,  the  caudal  peduncle  also  slender ;  gill  mem- 
branes narrowly  united ;  P.  as  long  as  head.   Dorsals  well  separated ; 
the  spines  very  slender.     Olivaceous  with  6  dark  cross-shades  on 
back,  and  with  dark  marks,  much  as  in  E.  nigrum;   from  the 
N-shaped  marks  on  sides  light  blue  bands  pass  down  around  belly 
and  tail ;  two  black  spots  on  base  of  C ;  a  black  spot  behind  eye. 
Head  4;  depth  6.     D.  XI  to  XIII -11  or  12.     A.  II,  9.     Lat.  1. 
50  to  55.    L.  2.    Tenn.  to  Ark.  and  S.    (Lat.,  pertaining  to  rocks.) 

365.  E.  luteovinctum  Gilbert  &  Swain.    Compressed,  the  back 
elevated,  the  tail  very  slender ;  head  compressed,  with  short,  high 
snout,  its  profile  strongly  decurved ;  mouth  low,  horizontal ;  gill 
membranes  narrowly  connected ;  dorsals  low,  well  separated.    Very 

1  The  form  from  Ind.  and  111.  is  probably  not  different  from  E.  jesslce.  It  may 
be  called  Var.  asprigene  (Forbes).  Body  rather  stout ;  head  somewhat  pointed  ; 
eye  large,  longer  than  snout ;  mouth  terminal ;  dorsals  separate.  Dark  greenish,  much 
mottled ;  1st  D.  dusky  behind  with  a  broad  band  of  blue  and  crimson  ;  soft  fins 
speckled.  Head  4  ;  depth  4f  D.  XI  - 12.  A.  II,  8.  Lat.  L  49 ;  tubes  on  34  to 
41.  L.  2J. 


134  TELEOSTEI  :  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

pale  olive,  with  7  dark  cross-bars  on  back ;  sides  with  9  dark  green- 
ish blotches,  between  which  are  orange-yellow  cross-bars;  small 
black  spots  at  base  of  C. ;  spinous  D.  with  a  median  orange  band, 
and  a  dark  blotch  behind ;  2d  D.  and  C.  barred.  Head  3f ;  depth 
4f.  D.  IX  orX-13.  A.  II,  7.  Scales  6-49  to  55-11.  L.  2. 
Stone  R.,  Tenn.  (Lat.,  luteus,  yellow ;  vinctus,  banded.) 

u.  Lateral  line  forming  a  slight  curve  above  P. ;  body  fusiform ;  dor- 
sals separate,  subequal.     (Boleichthys  Girard.) 
n.  Cheeks  scaly. 

366.  R  fusiforme  (Girard).   Body  slender,  terete ;  snout  short, 
bluntish;  mouth  small,  oblique;  maxillary  reaching  beyond  front 
of  eye;  eye  large,  longer  than  snout;  C.  rounded;  A.  spines  small. 
Olivaceous,  mottled  with  brownish ;  back  with  1 2  green  cross-shades ; 
sides  with  similar  shades,  sometimes  with  red  spots  ;    1st  D.  black 
below,  with  reddish  spots  above.     Head  3| ;  depth  6.     D.  IX  or 
X-10.    A.  II,  6.  Lat.  1.  50    (10  to  20  pores).  Vert.  16 -f  20  =  36. 
L.  2.     Mass,  to  S.  C.,  Ind.,  Ark.  and  Texas,  in  lowland  streams 
and  mud-holes,  variable.     Southeastward  occurs  a  form  or  variety, 
barratti  Holbrook,  similar  but  without  red  or  blue.     (Lat.,  spindle- 
shaped.) 

367.  B.  eos  (Jordan  &  Copeland).     Body  elongate,  slender,  the 
tail  very  long ;  head  long,  the  snout  decurved ;  mouth  small,  little 
oblique,  the  lower  jaw  slightly  included.      Dark  olive,  with  darker 
markings;  about  12  dark-blue  cross-bars  on  back,  with  as  many 
short  dull-blue  bars  between  them  on  sides;  interspaces  more  or 
less  marked  with  red ;  lower  parts  with  irregular  dark  specks  and 
short  lines;  2d  D.,  C.  and  P.  barred;  1st  D.  with  blue  and  red. 
Head  4;  depth  5J.     D.  IX -11.     A.  II,  7.     Lat.  1.  58;  about  25 
pores.     L.  2£.     Ind.  to  Minn. ;  abundant.     (Probably  a  variety  of 
the  preceding.)     (^<os,  sunrise.) 

ee.  Lateral  line  wholly  wanting.     (Microperca  Putnam.) 

368.  E.  microperca  Jordan  &  Gilbert.    LEAST  DARTER.   Body 
rather  short  and  deep,  compressed;   snout  somewhat  decurved; 
cheeks  naked ;  opercles  scaly  ;  nape  and  breast  naked ;  fins  small ; 
anal  spines  strong.     Olivaceous  much  speckled,  and  with  zigzag 
markings ;  2d  D.  and  C.  barred ;  a  dark  humeral  spot.     Head  3| ; 
depth  4J.    D.  VI  or  VII-  10.    A.  II,  6.    Lat.  1.  34.   Vert.  14  +  16 
=  30.     L.  1  to  1^.     Smallest  of  the  darters,  and  one  of  the  small- 
est of  fishes  ;  common  from  N.  Ind.  to  Minn.    (Microperca  pimctu- 
lata  Putnam.)     (/uucpcs,  small ;  nepurj,  perch.) 

159.  PERCA  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Latin  name  from  jrep/c?;,  origi- 
nally from  Trepnos,  dusky.) 

369.  P.   flavescens    (Mitchill).    YELLOW   PERCH.     RINGED 
PERCH.     Body  oblong,  somewhat  compressed,  the  back  elevated ; 
cheeks  scaly ;  opercles  mostly  naked,  striate ;  premaxillaries  pro- 


SERRANID.E.  —  LXIV.  135 

tractile,  preorbital  serrate;  snout  projecting;  maxillary  reaching 
middle  of  pupil ;  top  of  head  rugose ;  gill  rakers  stout,  the  longest 
but  3  times  as  high  as  broad.  Dark  olivaceous,  sides  golden  yellow ; 
6  to  8  broad  dark  cross-bars  from  back  to  below  middle  of  sides ; 
lower  fins  orange,  upper  olivaceous ;  spinous  D.  without  distinct 
black  spot.  Head  3£;  depth  3£.  D.  XIII -1, 14.  A.  II,  7.  Scales 
5_55_17.  Vert.  21 -{-20  =  41.  Pyloric  caeca  3.  L.  15.  Minn,  to 
N.  Ohio  and  Quebec,  S.  to  S.  C.  E.  of  Alleghanies,  not  in  Ohio 
Valley  or  S.  W. ;  abundant.  (Lat.,  growing  yellow.) 

160.    STIZOSTEDION  Rafinesque.    (OTI£O>,  to  prick;    OTTJ&'OI/, 
little  breast ;  "  the  name  means  pungent  throat."     Raf.) 

a.  Pyloric  caeca  3,  subequal,  all  about  as  long  as  stomach;   D.  XIII -1,  21. 
(Stizostedion.) 

370.  S.  vitreum  (Mitchill).    WALL-EYE.    GLASS-EYE.     PIKE 
PERCH.    JACK  SALMON.    Body  elongate,   growing  deeper  with 
age,  the  back  more  arched  than  in  the  next ;  head  sub-conic,  long  ; 
cheeks,  opercles  and  top  of  head  more  or  less  scaly ;  opercle  with 
radiating  striae,  ending  in  spinules ;  D.  spines  high,  soft  D.  nearly 
as  long  as  spinous.     Dark  olive,  mottled  with  brassy ;  sides  of  head 
vermiculated  ;  1st  D.  with  a  large  jet-black  blotch  posteriorly,  other- 
wise nearly  plain  dusky ;  2d  D.  and  C.  mottled  olive  and  yellowish ; 
base  of  P.  without  black  spot.     Head  4f ;  depth  4  to  6.     A.  II,  12. 
Lat.  1.  90.     L.  1  to  3  feet.     Great  Lakes,  Miss.  Valley,  E.  to  Va. ; 
commonest  N.,  where  it  is  one  of  the  leading  food-fish.     Absurdly 
called  "  Salmon  "  in  parts  of  the  South. 

aa.  Pyloric  caeca  4  to  7,   unequal;    D.   XIII -1,  18.    (Cynoperca  Gill  & 
Jordan.) 

371.  S.  canadense  (C.  H.  Smith).     SAUGER.     SAND    PIKE. 
GRAY  PIKE.     HORN-FISH.     Body  elongate,  more  terete  than  in 
the  preceding,  the  flesh  more  translucent ;  head  depressed,  pointed  ; 
opercular  spines  variable.     Eye  small,  5  in  head.     Olive  gray,  sides 
brassy  or  orange,  with  dark  mottlings,  more  distinct  in  young;  1st 
D.  with  2  or  3  rows  of  round,  black  spots ;  no  black  blotch  on  last 
spines ;  2d  D.  with  3  irregular  rows  of  dark  spots ;  a  large  black 
blotch  on  base  of  P. ;  C.  dusky  and  yellowish.     Head  3£ ;  depth  4J 
to  5.     A.  II,  12.     Lat.  1.  95.     Vert.  23  +  22  —  45.     L.  18.     Great 
Lake  region  to  Ohio  Valley  and  Dakota ;  common  N.    ( Var.  cana- 
dense  in  St.  Lawrence  region  has  bones  of  head  especially  rough, 
the  head  more  scaly  and  about  4  opercular  spines ;  Var.  griseum,  of 
the  Great  Lakes,  etc.,  with  smoother  head,  and  Var.  boreum,  of  the 
Upper  Miss.,  etc.,  with  slenderer  and  more  "  snake-like  "  head.) 

FAMILY  LXIV.    SERRANIDuE.     (THE  SEA  BASS.) 

Body  oblong,  with  adherent,  mostly  ctenoid  scales ;  mouth  usually 
large,  with  villiform  teeth  and  sometimes  with  canines ;  teeth  on 


136  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. — XX. 

vomer  and  palatines ;  maxillary  broad,  not  slipping  for  its  whole 
length  beneath  the  preorbital ;  gill  rakers  stiff,  toothed;  gills 
normal ;  pseudobranchiae  large ;  lower  pharyngeals  separate,  with 
pointed  teeth ;  gill  membranes  separate ;  B.  normally  6  or  7. 
Preopercle  usually  serrate ;  opercle  with  flat  points  or  spines.  Lat- 
eral line  present,  not  on  the  caudal.  Dorsal  variously  developed  ; 
anal  shortish,  with  three  spines  (these  wanting  in  one  genus).  V. 
normal.  Tail  stout,  its  fin  not  deeply  forked.  Vertebrae  usually 
10  -J-  14  =  24.  Intestine  short,  the  stomach  caecal,  with  pyloric 
appendages.  Carnivorous  fishes,  chiefly  of  the  warm  seas,  often  of 
large  size,  most  of  them  valued  as  food.  Genera  about  40,  species 
200.  This  group  may  be  regarded  as  the  most  typical  among 
the  Percoid  fishes,  and  it  is  perhaps  the  one  nearest  the  parent 
stock  from  which  the  others  have  sprung.  (Serran,  the  French 
name,  from  Lat.  serra,  saw.) 
a.  Anal  spines  3;  dorsal  spines  8  to  14. 

b.  Dorsal  fins  separate,  or  joined  at  base  only;  the  rays  VII  to  XI  - 1, 12  to 
14;  maxillary  without  supplemental  bone;  teeth  all  villiform,  without 
canines.    (Latince.) 
c.  Caudal  lunate;  tongue  with  teeth;  preopercle  without  horizontal  spine 

or  antrorse  hooks. 

x.  Dorsal  fins  separate;  spines  weak;  anal  rays  about  III,  12,  the 
spines  graduated;  lower  jaw  projecting;  base  of  tongue  with 

teeth Roccus,  161. 

xx.  Dorsal  fins  joined;  spines  strong;  anal  rays  III,  9,  the  spines 
not  graduated ;  jaws  subequal;  base  of  tongue  toothless. 

MOROSE,  162. 
bb.  Dorsal  fin  continuous,  not  deeply  notched. 

d.  Maxillary  without  supplemental  bone;  canine  teeth,  if  present,  on 
sides  of  jaw  as  well  as  in  front;  no  depressible  teeth;  temporal 
crests  on  cranium  small;  gill  rakers  rather  short;  lateral  line  not 
very  high;  dorsal  spines  X;  anal  rays  III,  7,  supraoccipital 
crest  not  extending  far  forward  on  top  of  skull,  leaving  a 
smooth  area  before  it.  (Serranirue.) 

e.  Smooth  area  on  top  of  cranium  very  short  and  small,  the  supra- 
occipital  crest  long;  C.  not  lunate,  usually  ending  in  3  points; 
teeth  small ;  head  naked  above ;  dorsal  rays  X,  11. 

CENTROPKISTIS,  163. 

dd.  Maxillary  with  a  supplemental  bone;  canine  teeth  usually  present, 
in  front  of  jaws;  inner  teeth  of  jaws  depressible;  scales  small, 
firm;  head  more  or  less  scaly  above;   supraoccipital  crest  en- 
croaching on  top  of  skull,  so  as  to  leave  no  smooth  area  at  vertex ; 
temporal  crests  distinct;  scales  small.     (Epinephelince.) 
f.  Dorsal  rays  about  XI,  16;  anal  rays  III,  8;  preopercle  without 
antrorse  spines;  canine  teeth  in  front  of  both  jaws;  temporal 
crests  moderate;  scales  of  lateral  line  simple,  without  radiat- 
ing ridges CERNA,  164. 

161.  ROCCUS  Mitchill.     (From  vernacular  Rock-Fish.) 
a.  Teeth  on  base  of  tongue  in  two  patches ;  body  elongate,  little  compressed. 
(Roccus.) 


SERRANID.E.  —  LXIV.  137 

372.  R.  lineatus  (Bloch).    STRIPED  BASS.    ROCK-FISH.    ROCK. 
Body  slender,  growing  deep  with  age  ;  spines  slender,  the  2d  anal 
spine  5  to  7  in  head.     Olivaceous  silvery,  sides  with  7  to  9  blackish 
lengthwise  stripes.   Head  3£;  depth  3£.   D.  IX  -1,  12.   A.  Ill,  11. 
Lat.  1.  65.     L.  3  to  5  feet.     Nova  Scotia  to  La.,  entering  rivers  to 
spawn,  one  of  our  finest  game  fishes.     (Lat.,  striped.) 

aa.  Teeth  on  base  of  tongue  in  one  patch;  body  deep,  compressed.    (Lepi- 
bema  Rafinesque.) 

373.  R.  chrysops  (Rafinesque).     WHITE  BASS.     Back  arched; 
2d  A.  spine  3  in  head.     Silvery,  greenish  above,  sides  with  several 
dusky  longitudinal  streaks,  those  below  lateral  line  more  or  less  in- 
terrupted.    Head  3£;  depth  2J.     D.  IX  -1,  14.     A.  Ill,  12.     Lat. 
1.  55.     L.  15.      Great  Lakes  and  Upp6r  Miss.  Valley,  rather  com- 
mon.    (xpwos,  gold  ;  aty,  eye.) 


162.  MORONE  Mitchill.     (Name  unexplained.) 
a.  Sides  striped  with  black. 

374.  M.  interrupta  Gill.    YELLOW  BASS.    Body  oblong,  ovate, 
the  back  elevated;  anterior  profile  concave;  2d  A.  spine  about  2  in 
head  ;  spines  very  strong.     Brassy,  sides  with  7  very  distinct  black 
stripes,  those  below  lateral  line  interrupted  behind,  and  beginning 
lower  down.     Head  3  ;  depth  2f.     D.  IX  -1,1  2.     A.  Ill,  9.     Lat. 
1.  50.     L.  12.     Lower  Mississippi,  N.  to  Brookville,  Ind.  (A.  W. 
Butler)  and  S.  111.     (M.  mississippiensis  Jordan  and  Eigenmann, 
the  name  interrupta  being  preoccupied  in  the  genus  Roccus,  from 
which  Morone  is  scarcely  distinct.) 

aa.  Sides  with  faint  pale  streaks. 

375.  M.  americana  (Gmelin).     WHITE  PERCH.     Body  oblong, 
not  strongly  compressed  ;  2d  A.  sp.  about  3  in  head  ;  spines  strong. 
Olivaceous,  sides  silvery.      Head  3  ;  depth  3.     D.  IX  -1,  12.     A. 
Ill,  9.     Lat.  1.  50.     L.  10.     Nova  Scotia  to  S.  C.,  common,  ascend- 
ing streams. 

163.  CENTROPRISTIS  Cuvier.     (tlvrpov,  spine  ;  TrptorT/y,  saw.) 

376.  C.striatus(L.).   BLACK  SEA  BASS.   BLACK-FISH.   BLACK- 
WILL.     Body  robust  ;  head  large  ;  mouth  moderate  ;  teeth  small,  in 
broad  bands  ;  dorsal  spines  strong,  with  short  filamentous  append- 
ages ;  P.  long     Blackish,  more  or  less  mottled,  with  traces  of  pale 
streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales  ;  D.  with  rows  of  whitish  spots  ; 
young  with  dark  cross  shades  and  dusky  lateral  band.      Head  2|  ; 
depth  2|.     D.  X,  11.     A.  Ill,  7.     Lat.  1.  50.    L.  14.    Cape  Cod  to 
Fla.,  common.    (C.  atrarius  (L.)  ;  the  name  striatus  is  still  earlier.) 
(Lat.,  striped.) 


138  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. — XX. 

164.  CERNA  Bonaparte.     GROUPERS.    (Epineplielus  authors,  not 

of  Bloch.)     (Italian  name  for  the  genus.) 
o.  Second  dorsal  spine  high,  not  lower  than  third  or  fourth;  C.  lunate. 

377.  C.  morio  l  (Cuv.  and  Val.)    RED  GROUPER.   Preopercular 
angle  little  salient,  without  enlarged  teeth.     Brown,  clouded  with 
whitish;   lower  parts  flushed  with  orange-red;    small  dark  spots 
about  eye ;  vertical  fins  broadly  edged  with  black.    Head  2^ ;  depth 
3.     D.  XI,  17.     A.  Ill,  9.     Lat.  1.  106.     L.  3  feet.     West  Indies, 
sometimes  N.  to  N.  Y.      (French,  merou  f) 

FAMILY  LXV.     LOBOTID^E.     (THE  FLASHERS.) 

This  family  is  closely  allied  to  the  Serranidoe,  from  which  it  dif- 
fers chiefly  in  the  absence  of  teeth  on  the  vomer  and  palatines. 
The  lips  are  thick,  the  upper  jaw  very  protractile,  the  lower  longer, 
and  the  bases  of  the  high  soft  dorsal  and  anal  thickened  and  scaly. 
The  single  species  is  a  large  fish,  found  in  most  warm  seas. 

165.  LOBOTES  Cuvier.     (Ao/Sorr/s,  lobed.) 

378.  L.    surinamensis    (Bloch).      FLASHER.      TRIPLE-TAIL. 
Head   small,    the   anterior   profile    concave,    the    back    elevated. 
Blackish  above,  sides  grayish,  often  blotched  with  yellowish.    Head 
3;  depth  2£.     D.  XII,  18.      A.  Ill,  11.     Lat.  1.  47.     L.  3  feet. 
Tropics,  frequently  N.  to  N.  Y. 

FAMILY  LXVI.     SPARED^.     (THE  PORGIES.) 

Body  oblong  or  elevated,  with  adherent  scales  which  are  usually 
scarcely  ctenoid.  Mouth  various,  usually  terminal,  the  teeth  of  vari- 
ous forms.  Premaxillaries  protractile ;  maxillary  for  its  whole  length 
slipping  into  a  sheath  formed  by  the  edge  of  the  preorbital ;  gills  and 
gill  membranes  normal ;  pseudobranchia?  large.  Preopercle  serrate 
or  not ;  opercle  unarmed.  Dorsal  fin  usually  continuous,  with  8  to 
13  spines ;  anal  spines  3.  V.  normal,  usually  with  an  enlarged  scale 
at  base  ;  lateral  line  continuous,  not  extending  on  C.  Air-bladder 
present.  Fishes  of  the  warm  seas,  some  carnivorous,  others  herbi- 
vorous, the  latter  with  very  long  intestines.  As  here  understood,  a 
rather  heterogeneous  group  of  some  60  genera  and  nearly  500 
species,  distinguished  as  a  whole  from  the  Serranidce  chiefly  by  the 
sheathed  maxillary.  Probably  the  group  needs  further  subdivision. 
(<T7rapoy,  Sparus,  ancient  name.) 

o.  Species  carnivorous,  with  short  intestines  and  few  pyloric  caeca;  teeth  not 

all  incisor-like. 

b.  Vomer  with  teeth ;  no  incisors  or  molars ;  jaws  with  canines ;  D.  con- 
tinuous.    (Lutjanince.) 

1  Numerous  related  species  of  Cerna  and  Epinephelm  occur  off  our  Southern  Coast, 
and  come  to  the  northern  markets.  For  an  account  of  these,  see  Jordan  &  Swain, 
Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.  1884. 


SPAEID^.  —  LX  VI.  139 

c.  Interorbital  area  not  flat ;  fronto-occipital  crest  not  continued  forward 

to  snout;  no  pterygoid  teeth;  C.  lunate LUTJ ANUS,  166. 

bb.  Vomer  without  teeth. 

d.  Teeth  all  pointed  ;  no  incisors  or  molars ;  preopercle  serrate.    (Hcemu- 

lince.) 

e.  Mouth  small;  chin  with  a  large  pore;  anal  fin  long,  its  rays  III, 
11  to  III,  14,  its  spines  small,  graduated.    ORTHOPKISTIS,  167. 
dd.  Teeth  on  sides  of  jaws  molar;  preopercle  entire.     (Sparince.) 

f.  Second  interhaemal  spine   normal,   not   "  pen-shaped ;  "  front 
teeth  broad,  incisor-like;  no  canines;  first  spine- bearing  in- 
terneural  developed  as  an  antrorse  spine  before  D. 
g.  Occipital  and  temporal  crests  of  skull  nowhere  coalescent; 
interorbital  area  not  swollen,  its  bones  thin,  transversely 
concave;  incisors  deeply  notched.   .    .    .    LAGODON,  168. 
gg.  Occipital  and  temporal  crests  coalescent  anteriorly,   both 
merging  into  the  gibbous  interorbital  area,  the  bones  of 
which  are  honeycombed ;  incisors  entire  or  nearly  so. 

ARCHOSARGUS,  169. 

ff.  Second  interhaemal  spine  enlarged,  hollowed  anteriorly,  pen- 
shaped,  receiving  the  posterior  end  of  the  air-bladder  in  its 
anterior  groove ;  front  teeth  incisor-like,  but  very  narrow ;  an 
antrorse  spine  before  D. ;   lateral  crest  not  coalescing  with 
occipital  6rest;  interorbital  area  flattish.  .   STENOTOMUS,  170. 
aa.  Species  herbivorous,  with  long  intestines  and  many  pyloric  caeca ;  front 
teeth  all  incisor-like.     (Kyphosince.) 

g.  Vomer  with  teeth;  soft  fins  densely  scaly;  incisors  entire  at 
tip,  with  horizontal  backward  projecting  roots,  the  bands 
of  small  teeth  behind  them  narrow.  .  .  KYPHOSUS,  171. 

166.  LUTJ  ANUS  Bloch.     SNAPPERS.     (Ikan  Lutjang,  Japanese 

-4- •:•         name  of  the  typical  species.) 
a.  Anal  fin  low,  rounded ;  color  chiefly  greenish. 

379.  L.  griseus  (L.).    MANGROVE  SNAPPER.    GRAY  SNAPPER. 
LAWYER.     CABALLEROTE.     Snout  pointed;  mouth  large;  lower 
jaw  not  projecting;  canines  strong;  vomerine  teeth  in  a  A -shaped 
patch ;  preorbital  deep ;  rows  of  scales  of  sides  of  back  becoming 
oblique  and  irregular  behind.      Dark  green,  reddish  below  ;  young 
with  dusky  streaks ;  vertical  fins  blackish,  tinged  with  red  in  life. 
Head  2f ;  depth  2f  to  3.     D.  X,  14.     A.  Ill,  8.      Scales  6-50-12. 
L.  18.    West  Indies,  N.  to  N.  J. ;  very  common  S.  especially  along 
shore  among  mangroves.     (Lat.,  gray.) 

aa.  Anal  fin  high,  angulated,  the  middle  rays  elevated;  color  chiefly  red. 

380.  L.  aya  (Bloch).     KED  SNAPPER.     Body  robust;   upper 
canines  strong,  lower  small ;  teeth  and  scales  much  as  in  L.  griseus. 
Rose-red,  nearly  uniform,  young  with  a   blotch   on    lateral  line. 
Head  2| ;    depth  2f.     D.   X,   14.     A.   Ill,  9.     Scales   7-60-15. 
L.  30.     West  Indies,  etc.,  rarely  N.  to  Block  Island  (Goode), 
abundant  on  the  Gulf  Coast,  in  rather  deep  water.     (L.  Uackfordi 
Goode  &  Beau.)     (A  Brazilian  name.) 


140  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. —  XX. 

167.  ORTHOPRISTIS  Girard.    (opdos,  straight ;   npiffTrjs,  saw.) 

381.  O.  chrysopterus  (L.).      PIG-FISH.      SAILOR'S   CHOICE. 
Body  compressed,  the  head  long ;  mouth  low,  with  small  teeth ; 
spines  slender.     Grayish,  sides  with  many  yellow  spots,  forming 
series  along  the  rows  of  scales,  those  above  lateral  line  oblique, 
those  below  parallel  with  lateral  line ;    fins   and  head  spotted. 
Head  3£ ;  depth  3.     D.  XII,  16.     A.  Ill,  12.     Lat.  1.  57  (rows). 
L.  12.     N.  Y.  to  Texas  and  Cuba,  common  S.     (Numerous  species 
belonging  to  the  allied  genus  Hcemulon  are  found  S.  of  Cape  Hat- 
teras.)     (xpvo-os,  gold  ;  irrepov,  fin.) 

168.  LAGODON  Holbrook.     (Xaycos,  hare;  o8o>i/,  tooth.) 

382.  L.  rhomboides  (L.).    CHOPA-SPINA.    PIN-FISH.    BREAM. 
Body  elliptic-ovate,  compressed ;  head  pointed ;  upper  molars  in 
two  rows.      Olive,  sides  silvery,  with  faint  stripes  of  blue  and  gol- 
den ;  6  dark  vertical  bars  growing  faint  with  age ;  a  large  dark 
blotch  above  P. ;  fins  streaked  with  yellowish  ;  2d  A.  spine  scarce- 
ly enlarged.      Head  3£;   depth  2J.      D.  XII,   11.      A.  Ill,   11. 
Scales  8-68-18.     L.  6.     N.  Y.  to  Cuba  and  Texas ;  very  com- 
mon S. 

169.  ARCHOSARGUS  Gill,     (apxa>v,  ruler  ;  vdpyos,  Sargus.) 

383.  A.  probatocephalus  (Walbaum).     SHEEPSHEAD.     Body 
deep,  robust,  the  back  arched ;  occipital  crest  strong  ;  2d  A.  spine 
much  enlarged.      Gray,  with  7  broad  black   cross-bars ;    no  gilt 
streaks  or  shoulder  spot.     Head  3£ ;  depth  2.     D.  XII,  11.     A. 
Ill,  10.     Scales  7-48-15.     L.  30.     Cape  Cod  to  Texas,  one  of  the 
best  of  our  food-fishes,     (npoparov,  sheep  ;  Kf(pd\f),  head.) 

170.  STBNOTOMUS  Gill,     (orevos,  narrow ;  ro/xos,  cutting.) 

384.  S.  chrysops  (L.).     SCUP.     SCUPPAUG.     PORGEE.     Body 
ovate,  compressed,  the  back  elevated ;  incisors  very  narrow,  re- 
sembling canines ;  third  dorsal  spine  elevated ;  2d  A.  spine  slightly 
enlarged.      Purplish  gray ;    sides  silvery ;   vertical  fins  somewhat 
mottled;  young  faintly  barred.      Head  3£  ;  depth  2.     D.  XII,  12. 
A.  Ill,  11.     Scales  8-49-16.     L.  12.    Cape  Cod  to  S.  C.,  abundant 
N. ;  a  valuable  food-fish.     (Farther  S.  occur  numerous  species  of 
the  related  genus  Calamus,  with  the  front  teeth  conical.)     (xpvaos, 
gold ;  a>\^,  eye.) 

171.  KYPHOSUS  Lacepede.     (Pimelepterus  Lacepede.) 
(KV<J)OS,  gibbous.) 

385.  K.  sectatrix   (L.).      RUDDER-FISH.      "  CHUB."      Body 
ovate,  compressed ;  mouth  small ;  interorbital  sf>ace  gibbous,  the 
snout  truncate  ;  fins  all  very  low  ;  C.  forked  ;  head,  body  and  fins 
all  closely  scaled.    Dusky-gray ;  sides  with  many  pale  stripes ;  pre- 


MULLID^E.  —  LXVII.  141 

orbital  with  a  silvery  streak.  Head  4| ;  depth  2£.  D.  XIT,  12. 
A.  Ill,  11.  Scales  10-66-20.  L.  24.  West  Indies,  rarely  N.  to 
Cape  Cod.  (Pimel.  bosqui  Lacepede.)  (Lat.,  one  who  cuts.) 

FAMILY  LXVII.    MULLID^3.     (THE  SURMULLETS.) 

Body  elongate,  with  large,  ctenoid  scales ;  head  with  large  scales ; 
profile  of  head  blunt ;  mouth  small,  the  teeth  various ;  premaxil- 
laries  protractile ;  maxillary  simple,  partly  hidden  by  the  broad 
preorbitals ;  throat  with  two  long  barbels.  Dorsals  two,  well  sep- 
arated, the  first  of  about  7  high  spines,  the  second  short ;  A.  short, 
with  two  small  spines ;  V.  and  gill  structures  normal.  Tropical 
seas,  5  genera  and  35  species,  rather  small,  carnivorous  fishes 
mostly  valued  as  food. 

a.  Teeth  in  lower  jaw  and  on  vomer  and  palatines;  none  in  upper  jaw;  in- 
terorbital  space  flat  and  broad;  opercle  without  spine.       MULLUS,  172. 

172.  MULLUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Ancient  name  from  /uvAXor, 

lip.) 

386.  M.  surmuletus  L.  SURMULLET.  Red :  sides  with  three 
yellow  stripes  ;  barbel  1^  in  head,  reaching  beyond  lower  anterior 
angle  of  opercle ;  eye  smallish,  5  in  head.  Head  3£ ;  depth  4. 
D.  VII-  1,  8.  A.  II,  6.  Lat.  1.  36.  L.  10.  Europe,  one  of  the 
most  esteemed  of  food  fish,  very  rarely  taken  on  our  coast.  (Wood's 
Holl ;  N".  Y.  ;  Pensacola.)  Our  form  (var.  auratus  Jordan  &  Gil- 
bert) differs  slightly  from  the  European.  (Eu.}  (Low  Lat., 
"  above  mullets.") 

FAMILY  LXVIII.     SCI^E3NID^3.     (THE  DRUMS.) 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less,  with  weakly  ctenoid  scales.  Lat- 
eral line  continuous  to  the  end  of  caudal  fin.  Head  covered  with 
scales ;  cranium  cavernous,  the  muciferous  system  highly  developed, 
surface  of  the  skull  very  uneven ;  chin  with  pores ;  mouth  and 
teeth  various  ;  maxillary  without  supplementary  bone,  slipping  be- 
neath preorbital ;  premaxillaries  protractile ;  gills  and  gill  struc- 
tures normal.  D.  deeply  notched,  its  soft  part  long ;  A.  short,  with 
1  or  2  spines  ;  V.  normal.  Ear  bones  very  large.  Vertebrae  about 
24 ;  air-bladder  usually  large  and  complicated,  its  structure  enabling 
the  fish  to  make  grunting  or  drumming  sounds.  Carnivorous  fishes, 
most  of  them  valued  as  food.  Genera  25  ;  species  130,  in  all  warm 
seas,  some  genera  confined  to  fresh  waters. 

a.  Vertebrae  typically  14  +  10,  the  number  in  the  abdominal  region  always 
greater  than  that  in  the  caudal ;  lower  jaw  prominent ;  teeth  not  villi- 
form  ;  preopercle  entire;  anal  spines  very  weak.     (Otolithince.) 
b.  Anal  moderate  of  7  to  13  raj's,  its  length  not  half  that  of  soft  D. ;  tip  of 
upper  jaw  with  (usually)  2  pointed  canines;  none  at  tip  of  lower. 

CYNOSCION,  173. 


142  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. —  XX. 

eta.  Vertebrae  typically  10  + 14 ;   second  anal  soine  well  developed.     (Sci- 

cenince.) 

x.  Lower  pharyngeals  separate. 
y.  Lower  jaw  without  barbels. 

c.  Teeth  well  developed,  permanent  in  both  jaws;   lower  pharyngeals 

narrow,  with  sharp  teeth. 

d.  Gill  rakers  slender,  rather  long;  mouth  oblique;  A.  inserted  rather 
posteriorly ;  preorbital  narrow ;  slits  and  pores  of  upper  jaw  little 
developed;  preopercle  serrate,  its  lowest  spine  enlarged,  turned 
downward;  head  not  very  broad,  not  spongy  above. 

BAIKDIELLA,  174. 

dd.  Gill  rakers  rather  short  and  thick;  anal  further  forward;   snout 
with  large  pores,  and  2  to  4  slits  on  its  edge ;  preorbital  broad  ; 

mouth  inferior SCLENA,  175. 

cc.  Teeth  very  small,  subequal,  those  in  lower  jaw  lost  with  age ;  lower 
pharyngeals  broad,  with  paved  teeth ;  gill  rakers  short,  but  slender, 

otherwise  as  in  Scicena LEIOSTOMUS,  176. 

yy.  Lower  jaw  with  one  or  more  barbels  (otherwise  essentially  as  in  Sci- 
cena). 
e.  Lower  jaw  with  several  slender  barbels  at  its  rami;  preopercle 

serrate MICROPOGON,  177. 

ee.  Lower  jaw  with  one  thickish  barbel  at  its  tip;  no  air-bladder; 
anal  spine  single;  body  long  and  low;  preopercle  crenulate. 

MENTICIRRHUS,  178. 

xx.  Lower  pharyngeals  very  large,  completely  united,  with  coarse  paved  teeth ; 
snout,  etc.,  as  in  Scicena. 

f.  Lower  jaw  with  numerous  barbels  along  the  rami;  preopercle 

nearly  entire POGONIAS,  179. 

ff.  Lower  jaw  without  barbels ;  preopercle  obscurely  serrate. 

APLODINOTUS,  180. 

173.  CYNOSCION  Gill.     (KVQ>V,  dog ;   <mWa,  scicena.) 

a.  Soft  dorsal  and  anal  closely  scaled. 
b.  Back  and  sides  nearly  uniform  silvery,  without  spots. 

387.  C.  nothus  (Holbrook).   WHITE  WEAK-FISH.    Body  rather 
deep  ;  snout  short,  bluntish ;  eye  very  large,  4  iu  head.     Head  3%  ; 
depth  3f.     D.  X-l,  28.      A.  II,  9.     Scales  6-60-7.     L.  12.     Va. 
to  Fla.     (Lat.,  spurious.) 

bb.  Back  and  sides  with  irregular  dark  spots  in  undulating  streaks. 

388.  C.   regalis    (Bloch  &  Schneider).     WEAK-FISH.      SQUE- 
TEAGUE.     Silvery,  brownish  above,  and  with  bright  reflections ;  fins 
without  distinct  spots ;  snout  sharp  ;  eye  moderate,  5  to  7  in  head. 
Head  3£;  depth  4J.     D.  X-l,  29.     A.  I,  13.     Lat.  1.  80.     L.  2£ 
feet.     Cape  Cod  to  Fla.,  an  abundant  and  most  excellent  food-fish. 
act.  Soft  dorsal  scaleless ;  back  and  upper  fins  with  many  conspicuous  round 

black  spots. 

389.  C.  nebulosus  (Cuv.  &  Val.).     SPOTTED  WEAK-FISH.    Sil- 
very, back  bluish.     Head  3£;   depth  5.     D.  X-l,  25.     A.  I,  10. 


SCLENID.E.  — LXVIII.  143 

Lat.  1.  85.  L.  2  feet.  N.  J.  to  Texas,  common  S.  All  these  species 
are  absurdly  called  "  Trout "  in  the  Southern  States,  —  a  name  also 
applied  in  the  same  regions  to  the  Black  Bass. 

174.  BAIRDIELLA  Gill.     (To  Spencer  Fullerton  Baird.) 

390.  B.  chrysura    (Lacepede).      SILVER   PERCH.      YELLOW- 
TAIL.     MADEMOISELLE.     Jaws  subequal;  teeth  in  lower  mostly 
in  one  series ;    second  anal  spine  moderate,  2^  in  head ;   eye  large. 
Greenish,  sides  silvery ;  scales  and  fins  much  punctulate ;  lower  fins 
yellow.     Head  3£ ;  depth  2f.     D.  X-l,  22.     A.  II,  9.     Lat.  1.  50. 
L.  9.     Cape  Cod  to  Texas,  abundant  S.     (^pvo-dy,  golden ;  oupa, 
tail.) 

175.  SCLS3NA  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Corvina  Cuvier.)     (Old 

name,  from  ovaa,  shade.) 

a.  Preopercle  serrate  in  young,  the  teeth  disappearing  with  age;  body  elon- 
gate, little  compressed.     (Scicenops  Gill.) 

391.  S.  ocellata  L.    RED-FISH.    CHANNEL  BASS.    Headlong; 
eye  small ;   mouth  large,  nearly  horizontal ;   teeth  in  both  jaws  in 
bands,  the  outer  enlarged  above ;  anal  spines  moderate.     Grayish- 
silvery,  dark  points  on  the  scales,  forming  undulating  brown  streaks  ; 
a  jet  black  spot  edged  with  orange  on  base  C.  above,  this  sometimes 
duplicated.     Head  3^  ;  depth  3£.     D.  X-l,  24.     A.  II,  8.     Scales 
4_50-7.    L.  4  feet.    Cape  Cod  to  Mexico;  an  important  food-fish,  S. 

176.  LEIOSTOMUS  Lacepede.     (Xetos,  smooth ;  ord/ua,  mouth.) 

392.  L.  xanthurus  Lacepede.     SPOT.     GOODY.     LAFAYETTE. 
Compressed ;    profile  steep ;    snout  blunt,  fins  low.      Bluish,  sides 
with  15  dark  oblique  bars ;   a  round  black  spot  behind  shoulder. 
Head  3£;  depths.     D.  X-l,  32.     A.  II,  12.     Lat.  1.  60.     L.  12. 
Cape  Cod  to  Texas.     (£avQ6s,  yellow ;  ovpa,  tail,  but  the  C.  is  never 
yellow.) 

177.  MICROPOGON  Cuv.  &  Val.    (piicpos,  small ;  7ro>ya>i/,  beard.) 

393.  M.  undulatus   (L.).     CROAKER.     Body  rather  elongate, 
with  rather  long  head  and  large  mouth.     Grayish-silvery,  back  and 
sides   with  undulating   dark  streaks ;    dorsals  with  lines  of  dots. 
Head  3|,  depth  3^.     D.  X-l,  27.     A.  II,  8.     Lat.  1.  60.     L.  18. 
N".  Y.  to  Texas. 

178.   MENTICIRRHTTS  Gill.     (Lat.,  mentum,  chin ;  cirrus, 

barbel.) 

a.  Gill  rakers  obsolete;  lower  pharyngeals  narrow,  their  teeth  slender;  outer 
teeth  of  upper  jaw  enlarged;  scales  on  breast  large;  maxillary  reaching 
beyond  front  of  eye,  more  than  £  head.     (Menticirrhus.) 
b.  Outer  teeth  of  upper  jaw  very  strong;  lower  lobe  of  C.  not  black. 

394.  M.  americanus  (L.).     WHITING.     D.  a  little  lower  than 
in  the  next  species,  the  spines  barely  reaching  soft  rays.     Silver- 


144  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

gray,  usually  with  faint  oblique  bars ;  snout  projecting.     Head  3£ ; 
depth  4.     D.  X-l,  25.     A.  I,  7.    Lat.  1.  65.     Md.  to  Brazil,  abun- 
dant S.     (M.  alburnus  L.) 
bb.  Outer  teeth  of  upper  jaw  little  enlarged;  lower  lobe  of  C.  mostly  black. 

395.  M.  saxatilis  (Bloch).     KING-FISH.     BARB.     SEA  MINK. 
D.  high.     Dusky  gray,  the  back  and  sides  with  oblique  dark  cross- 
bands  ;  one  at  the  nape  vertical,  forming  with  the  next  a  V-shaped 
blotch ;  a  dark  lateral  streak,  extending  on  C.     Head  4  ;  depth  4^. 
D.  X-l,  26.     A.  I,  8.    Scales  7-53-14.    L.  18.    Cape  Cod  to  Fla., 
common  N.     (Lat.,  living  among  rocks.) 

aa.  Gill  rakers  present,  small;  lower  pharyngeals  broad,  their  teeth  mostly 
molar;  outer  teeth  scarcely  enlarged ;  scales  on  breast  small.  (Um- 
brula  Jordan  &  Eigenmann.) 

396.  M.    littoralis    (Holbrook).      SILVER    WHITING.      SURF 
WHITING.     Snout  projecting,  3£  in  head  ;  maxillary  to  eye,  3|  in 
head.     Silver-gray,  almost  plain  ;  tip  of  C.  black.    Head  3^ ;  depth 
4£.    D.  X-l,  24.    A.  I,  7.    Scales  6-53-12.    L.  18.    Ya.  to  Texas. 
(Lat.,  belonging  to  the  shore.) 

179.  FOGONIA3  Lacepede.     (irayuvias,  bearded.) 

397.  P.  cromis  (L.).      DRUM.      Robust;    2d  A.  spine  large. 
Grayish-silvery  or  brassy ;  4  or  5  dark  vertical  bars  lost  with  age. 
Head  3£;  depth  2J.    D.  X-l,  20.    A.  II,  6.    Lat.  1.  50.    L.  4  feet. 
Cape  Cod  to  Brazil.     (Old  name  from  ^pe/zw,  to  neigh.) 

180.  APLODINOTUS  Rafinesque.     (dTrXdos,  simple;  wiroy, 
back.) 

398.  A.    grunniens    (Rafinesque).       FRESH -WATER    DRUM. 
GASPERGOU.     "  SHEEP'S-HEAD."     WHITE   PERCH.      CROAKER. 
THUNDER-PUMPER.     Snout  blunt ;  back  compressed  ;  2d  A.  spine 
very  strong;  C.  rhombic.      Grayish-silvery,  more  or  less  dotted. 
Head  3£;  depth  3.    D.  IX -1,  30.     A.  II,  7.    Lat.  1.  55.    L.  2  feet 
or  more.    Great  Lakes  to  Texas  and  Ga.,  abundant ;  a  large,  coarse 
fish  of  the  larger  streams  and  lakes.     (Lat.,  grunting.) 

FAMILY  LXIX.    GEKRID.3D.     (THE  MOHARRAS.) 

Body  compressed,  with  large,  smoothish  scales ;  lateral  line  con- 
tinuous ;  mouth  small,  the  premaxillary  excessively  protractile,  the 
spines  of  the  premaxillaries  extending  backward  in  a  deep  groove 
on  top  of  head  ;  maxillary  simple,  not  sheathed  by  the  narrow  pre- 
orbital;  mandible  scaly,  with  a  slit  behind  it,  to  permit  motion; 
teeth  small,  in  jaws  only ;  preopercle  entire  or  serrate  ;  pseudo- 
branchias  concealed ;  gills  normal ;  gill  membranes  separate ;  lower 
pharyngeal  bones  close  together,  usually  loosely  united  ;  D.  single, 
with  9  spines ;  A.  with  3  or  2 ;  V.  I,  5 ;  air-bladder  present.  Verte- 


—  LXX.  145 

bras  10  +  14.  Oviparous,  carnivorous.  One  genus,  with  80  species; 
in  the  warm  seas.  Silvery  fishes,  probably  allied  to  the  Sparidce, 
but  with  no  near  relatives. 

181.  GERRES  Cuvier.     (Old  name  of  some  fish.) 

a.  Preopercle  and  preorbital  entire ;  body  oblong ;  spines  moderate.    (Diapte- 

rus  Ranzani.) 

b.  Premaxillary  groove  scaled  across  anteriorly  so  that  the  posterior  part 
appears  as  a  naked  pit. 

399.  G.  gula  Cuv.  &  Val.  Silvery,  faintly  barred  ;  3d  D.  spine 
not  half  head;  2d  A.  spine  short.  Head  3J;  depth  2£.  D.  IX,  10. 
A.  Ill,  8.  Scales  5-43-10.  L.  6.  N.  J.  to  Brazil,  common  S. 
(Lat,  throat,  the  fish  being  called  "  Petite-Gueule  "  in  W.  I.) 

PHARYNGOGNATHI.  This  family  closes  the  series  of  fishes  hav- 
ing Percoid  affinities.  We  now  pass  to  the  group  or  suborder 
PHARYNGOGNATHI,  those  forms  allied  to  the  Labroids,  and  distin- 
guished especially  by  the  complete  union  of  the  lower  pharyngeal 
bones.  Of  these,  the  typical  forms,  Labridce,  Pomacentridce  have 
the  gills  reduced,  3^  in  number  ;  the  last  gill  slit  wanting  or  nearly 
so.  Some  of  them  (Pomacentridce,  Cichlidce)  differ  from  other 
spiny-rayed  fishes  in  having  but  one  nostril  on  each  side;  still  others 
(Embiotocidce)  are  viviparous.  The  Pharyngognathi  being  chiefly 
tropical  are  scantily  represented  within  our  limits. 

FAMILY  LXX.    LABRID^l.    (THE  WRASSES.) 

Body  oblong,  covered  with  cycloid  scales ;  lateral  line  usually  in- 
terrupted or  angularly  bent.  Mouth  terminal,  protractile  ;  the 
teeth  of  the  jaws  generally  strong  ;  no  teeth  on  vomer  or  palatines ; 
maxillaries  simple,  slipping  under  membranous  edge  of  preorbital  ; 
lower  pharyngeals  solidly  united,  with  blunt  teeth  ;  D.  continuous, 
with  8  to  20  spines,  the  number  greatest  in  Northern  forms,  which, 
as  usual  among  fishes,  have  also  an  increased  number  of  vertebrae  ; 
anal  spines  2  to  6,  usually  3.  V.  normal.  Pseudobranchiae  present. 
Gills  3^,  usually  no  slit  behind  the  last ;  nostrils  double ;  air-bladder 
present.  Genera  65  ;  species  450,  chiefly  of  the  tropical  seas. 
Many  of  them  are  brilliantly  colored  and  some  are  valued  as  food. 
The  teeth  are  adapted  for  the  crushing  of  shells.  (Labrus,  an  old 
name  from  labrum,  lip.) 

a.  Vertebrae  in  increased  number,  30  to  38;  dorsal  spines  16  to  20;  teeth  in 
jaws  distinct,  the  anterior  canine:  no  posterior  canines ;  lateral  line  con- 
tinuous; lips  thick.     (Labrince.) 
b.  Preopercle  serrate ;  cheeks  and  opercles  scaly;  teeth  in  more  than  two 

series,  the  outer  enlarged CTENOLABRUS,  182. 

bb.  Preopercle  entire;  cheeks  scaly;  opercles  naked;  teeth  in  about  two 

series HIATULA,  183. 

10 


146  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

182.  CTENOLABRUS  Cuv.  &  Val.     (KTCIS,  comb ;  Labrus.) 
o.  Interopercle  naked ;  snout  not  very  sharp.    (Tautogolabrus  Giinther.) 

400.  C.  adspersus  (Walbaum).  GUNNER.  CHOGSET.  BER- 
GALL.  BLUE  PERCH.  Brownish  blue,  with  brassy  shades ;  young 
with  a  black  dorsal  spot.  Head  3£;  depth  3.  D.  XVIII,  10. 
A.  Ill,  9.  Lat.  1.  45.  L.  10.  Newfoundland  to  Va.,  common  N. 
about  rocks.  (Lat.,  speckled.) 

183.  HIATULA  Lacepede.     (Old  name;  hio,  to  gape.) 
401    H.  onitis  (L.).    TAUTOG.    OYSTER-FISH.    BLACK-FISH. 

Blackish ;  young  greenish,  irregularly  barred.  Head  3^ ;  depth  3. 
D.  XVI,  10.  A.  Ill,  8.  Lat.  1.  60.  L.  16.  Maine  to  S.  C.,  a 
common  food-fish.  (Meaning  unknown.) 

EPELASMIA.  The  rest  of  the  Pharyngognathi  are  beyond  our 
limits,  as  are  also  the  great  bulk  of  the  next  group,  or  suborder,  the 
Squamipennes,  or  Epelasmia  (Cope).  Of  these  only  a  single  species 
comes  ]ST.  of  Va.  In  this  group  the  post-temporal  is  simple,  and  the 
upper  pharyngeals  reduced  to  thin  laminae.  The  group  includes 
the  Chcetodontidce,  Acanthuridce,  Teutkididoe,  and  the  small 

FAMILY  LXXI.    EPHIPPID-3D.    (THE  ANGEL-FISHES.) 

Body  compressed  and  elevated ;  scales  ctenoid  densely  covering 
the  body  and  the  soft  parts  of  the  vertical  fins ;  lateral  line  present. 
Mouth  small,  terminal,  with  bands  of  setiform  (tooth-brush-like) 
teeth ;  premaxillary  protractile ;  maxillary  simple,  partly  slipping 
under  preorbital ;  gill  membranes  broadly  attached  to  the  isthmus  ; 
gill  rakers  very  short;  pseudobranchise  present.  Dorsal  deeply 
notched,  with  8  to  11  spines,  the  soft  part  very  high,  as  is  also  the 
soft  anal ;  A.  spines  3  or  4 ;  C.  subtruncate ;  P.  short ;  V.  normal. 
Air-bladder  large.  Genera  6;  species  about  15,  in  the  warm  seas. 
(e^iTTTrof,  on  horseback,  from  the  long  dorsal  spine.) 

a.  Anal  spines  3;  dorsal  spines  8  or  9,  the  third  elevated;  profile  very  steep; 
scales  small CH.ETODIPTERUS,  184. 

184.  CH^BTODIPTERUS  Lacepede.     (x<uro8a>i/,  Chastodon ; 
dls,  two;  irrepov,  fin.) 

402.  C,  faber  (Broussonet).  ANGEL-FISH.  SPADE-FISH.  Gray- 
ish, the  young  with  4  to  7  black  cross-bands ;  soft  vertical  fins,  be- 
coming falcate  with  age.  Head  3;  depth  1^.  D.  VIII -1,  20. 
A.  Ill,  18.  Lat.  1.  60.  L.  24.  Warm  seas,  N.  to  N.  Y. ;  a 
good  food-fish.  (An  old  name,  meaning  blacksmith.) 

CATAPHRACTI.  We  next  pass  to  the  group  of  Cataphracti  or 
Cottoid  fishes,  an  -assemblage  of  families,  characterized  as  a  whole 
by  the  development  of  a  "  suborbital  stay,"  a  bony  process  extend- 
ing from  the  suborbital  ring  backward  across  the  cheeks  to  or  to- 
wards the  preopercle.  In  the  extreme  forms  (Agonidce,  etc.),  the 


SCORP^NID^E.   —  LXXII.  147 

cheek  is  wholly  mailed.  In  others,  as  Cyclopterus,  this  stay  is 
little  conspicuous.  The  CatapJiracti  agree  with  the  Scyphobranchii 
in  having  the  third  upper  pharyngeal  large,  basin-shaped,  but  they 
differ  much  among  themselves,  the  Hexagrammidce  and  Scorpcenidce 
resembling  the  Perciform  fishes,  while  some  of  the  others  are  widely 
aberrant. 

FAMILY  LXXII.     SCORP^JNID^E.    (THE  ROCK-FISHES.) 

Body  oblong,  robust,  usually  covered  with  ctenoid  scales  ;  lateral 
line  present.  Head  large,  with  spinous  ridges  above  ;  opercle  with 
two  spinous  processes  ;  preopercle  with  five.  Mouth  large,  the  jaws 
with  villiform  teeth  ;  premaxillaries  protractile  ;  maxillaries  broad, 
simple,  not  sheathed  by  preorbital  ;  bony  suborbital  stay  present, 
usually  covered  by  skin  and  usually  not  reaching  preopercle.  Gill 
membranes  free  and  separate.  Gills  3£,  with  no  slit  behind  the  last. 
V.  normal,  I,  5.  D.  continuous,  with  8  to  16  strong  spines.  Arctic 
species  have  more  spines  and  more  vertebrae  than  tropical  species. 
Vertebrae  24  to  32;  A.  short,  with  3  spines;  P.  broad.  Pseudo- 
branchiae  and  air-bladder  large.  Genera  20  ;  species  200.  Carniv- 
orous fishes  living  about  rocks  in  all  seas,  often  at  considerable 
depths,  especially  abundant  about  Cal.  and  Japan.  Non-migratory  ; 
excellent  as  food,  and  usually  red  in  color.  Most  are  viviparous, 
the  young  £  inch  long  when  born.  (<TKoprrios,  scorpion.) 
a.  Dorsal  spines  15  ;  vertebrae  12  -f  19  =  31  ;  palatine  teeth  present;  head  not 
very  rough  above.  .  .  ..........  SEBASTES,  185. 


185.  SEBASTES  Cuvier.  ((re^aordy,  magnificent.) 
403.  S.  marinus  (L.).  ROSE-FISH.  HEMDURGAN.  NORWAY 
HADDOCK.  Body  ovate;  top  and  sides  of  head  evenly  scaled; 
cranial  ridges  low  and  sharp  ;  preocular,  supraocular,  postocular, 
tympanic,  and  occipital  ridges  present  ;  eye  very  large  ;  chin  prom- 
inent. Orange  red,  some  dusky  on  opercle.  Head  3  ;  depth  2|. 
D.  XV,  14.  A.  Ill,  8.  Lat.  1.  40,  tubes  85.  N.  Atl.,  S.  to 
Cape  Cod  ;  common  N.  Specimens  in  shallow  water  are  smaller 
and  brownish.  (Var.  viviparus  Kroyer.)  (J2w.) 

FAMILY  LXXIII.    COTTHXS3.     (THE  SCULPINS.) 

Body  elongate,  more  or  less,  the  head  usually  large  and  depressed  ; 
eyes  high  ;  bony  stay  conspicuous,  but  not  covering  the  cheek  ;  pre- 
opercle armed  ;  teeth  in  villiform  bands  ;  maxillary  simple  ;  gills  3£ 
or  4;  gill  membranes  connected,  often  joined  to  isthmus.  Body 
naked,  or  irregularly  scaled  or  warty,  never  evenly  scaled  ;  lateral 
line  present.  Dorsals  usually  separate,  the  spines  slender;  A. 
without  spines;  P.  large,  with  broad  procurrent  base,  the  lower 
rays  simple  ;  V.  thoracic,  usually  I,  3  or  I,  4,  sometimes  wanting, 
never  united.  Pseudobranchise  present.  Vertebrae,  as  usual  in 


148  TELEOSTEI:   ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

Arctic  fishes,  numerous,  35  to  50.  Genera  40;  species  150,  mostly 
of  the  springs,  rock-pools,  and  seashores  of  Arctic  regions  ;  a  few  in 
the  deep  sea.  Singular  fishes,  mostly  of  small  size,  and  of  little 
value  as  food.  The  fresh-water  species  are  very  destructive  to 
eggs  of  other  fishes. 

a.  Spinous  D.  longer  than  soft  part,  of  more  than  14  spine^.     (Hemitrip- 

terince.) 

b.  Spinous  D.  deeply  notched,  the  anterior  spines  highest;  skin  with  prickles 

and  warts;  teeth  on  vomer  and  palatines;  gill  membranes  free  from 

isthmus  ;  no  slit  behind  last  gill  .....        HEMITBIPTERUS,  186. 

aa.  Spinous  D.  shorter  than  soft  part,  of  less  than  13  spines;  dorsal  spines  not 

concealed;  gill  openings  not  very  small.    V.  present.    (  Cottince.) 
c.  Vomer  with  teeth. 

d.  Slit  behind  last  gill  obsolete  or  reduced  to  a  round  pore;  skin  with- 
out true  scales. 

Gill  membranes  broadly  united  to  the  isthmus,  not  forming  a  fold 
across  it;  head  feebly  armed;  palatine  teeth  few  or  none. 

COTTUS,  187 
ee.  Gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus  or  else  forming  a  broad  fold 

across  it;  head  well  armed. 
/.  Palatine  teeth  none  ;  skin  naked  or  prickly. 

ACANTHOCOTTUS,    188. 

ff.  Palatine  teeth  well  developed  ;  skin  smooth. 

ARTEDIELLUS,  189. 
dd.  Slit  behind  last  gill  small,  but  evident  ;  no  palatine  teeth. 

g.  Skin  smooth;  gill  membranes  not  quite  free  from  isthmus; 
preorbital,  etc.,  strongly  cavernous.      .      TRIGLOPSIS,  190. 
gg.  Skin  with  minute  prickly  scales,  and  with  plates  along  back 
and  lateral  line;  gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus. 

TRIGLOPS,  191. 

CC.  Vomer  without  teeth;  preopercular  spine  antler-like;  a  fold  across 
isthmus  and  no  slit  behind  last  gill  ;  no  scales. 

GYMNACANTHUS,  192. 


186/  HEMITRIPTERUS  Cuvier.     (fai-,  half  ;  rpeiy,  three  ; 

7TT€pOV,  fin.) 

404.  H.  americanus   (Gmelin).     SEA  RAVEN.     Head  large, 
with  many  humps  and  ridges  above.     Brown,  body  and  fins  much 
variegated  with  blackish.     Head  2f  ;  depth  3f.     D.  IV,  XII,  1,  12. 
A.  13.     Lat.  1.  40.     L.  18.     Cape  Cod  to  Arctic  Sea. 

187.  COTTUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.  (  Uranidea  DeKay.)    MILLER'S 
THUMB.     (Ancient  name  of  C.  gobio,  from  KOTTOS,  head.) 

a.  Palatines  with  teeth;  ventrals  I,  4  (the  spine  obscure). 
6.  Preopercular  spine  large,  as  long  as  eye,  strongly  hooked  upward  ;  skin 
above  with  coarse  prickles  (  Tauridea  Jordan  &  Rice). 

405.  C.  ricei  Nelson.     Head  broad,  body  contracted  at  base  of 
tail.    Olivaceous,  finely  speckled.    Head  3f  ;  depth  5£.    D.  VIII  -1  7. 
A.  12.     L.  2£.     Lake  Mich,  and  L.  Ontario,  rare.     (To  Frank  L. 
Rice.) 


COTTID.E.  —  LXXIII.  149 

bb.  Preopercular  spines  small,  mostly  concealed  by  the  skin ;  skin  smooth 
or  prickly  in  or  behind  the  axil  only.     (Potamocottus  Gill.) 

406.  C.   richardsoni    Agassiz.      MILLER'S    THUMB.      BLOB. 
MUFFLE-JAW.     Body  rather  stout,   the  head  very  broad;   pre- 
opercle  with  a  short,  sharp,  straightish  spine,  turned  upward  and 
backward,  with  2  smaller  spines  below  it.     Olivaceous,  much  barred 
and  speckled.     Head  3£;  depth  4  to  6.     D.  VI  to  VIII -16.     A. 
12.     V.  I,  4.     L.  3  to  7.     Lake  Superior  to  Ark.,  Ga.,  Md.,  and 
Canada  very  abundant  in  springs,  caves,  cold  lakes,  and  rocky 
brooks.     Very  variable.     The  numerous  varieties  or  nominal  spe- 
cies are  hardly  worthy  of  recognition  by  name.     (To  John  Kich- 
ardson,  author  of  the  "  Fauna  Boreali- Americana.") 

aa.  Palatine  teeth,  none;  V.  I,  3;  skin  mostly  smooth.    (Cottus.1) 
c.  Anal  rays  13  or  14. 

d .  Preopercular  spine  large,  hooked  upward. 

407.  C.  pollicaris  (Jordan  &  Gilbert).    Light  olive,  blotched 
and  spotted  with  black,  but  not  speckled ;  upper  fins  spotted.     Eye 
5£  in  head.     Head  ft};    depth  4|.     D.  VII -19.     A.  13.     L.  5. 
Lake  Michigan.     (Lat.,  thumb-like.) 

408.  C.  spilotus  (Cope).    Olive,  everywhere  closely  speckled 
with  darker  except  on  belly;    sides  barred  with  blackish;    fins 
barred   and   spotted.     Eye  4£  in  head.     Head  3£;  depth  5.     D. 
VIII -17.      A.   13.      L.   3.      Grand   Rapids,   Mich.      (o-TrtXtoTop, 
spotted.) 

dd.  Preopercular  spine  short,  acute,  turned  obliquely  upward. 

409.  C.  viscosus  Haldeman.     Stout,  with  many  mucous  pores ; 
fins  low.     Olivaceous,  body  and  fins  mottled  with  dark ;  1st  D.  with 
red  edge.    Head  3£ ;  depth  4|.    D.  VI -18.    A.  14.    Penn.  to  Md. 

cc.  Anal  rays  11  or  12. 

e.  Preopercular  spine  short,  scarcely  hooked. 

f.  Preopercular  spine  bent  upward  and  backward. 

410.  C.  gracilis  Heckel.    Body  rather  slender ;  fins  large.    Oliva- 
ceous, mottled,  1st  D.  edged  with  red.     Head  3£ ;  depth  4J  to  5£. 
D.  VIII -16.     A.  12.     L.  4.     N.  Eng.  and  N.  Y.     (Var.  gobioides 
Grd.,  with  robust  body,  and  var.  boleoides  Grd.,  with  slender  body 
and  long  fins,  have  been  described.)     (Lat.,  slender.) 

ff.  Preopercular  spine  directed  backward  and  scarcely  upward. 

411.  C.  hoyi  Putnam.      Slender;    9  prickly  above;  jaws  nar- 
rower and  mouth  smaller  than  in  C.  gracilis ;  another  spine  below 
it  turned  downward,  and  one  or  two  others  still  lower.     Olivaceous, 
speckled  and  barred.     D.  VI -15.     A.  11.     L.  2.     L.Michigan. 
(To  Dr.  Philo  R.  Hoy.) 

ee.  Preopercular  spine  distinctly  hooked. 

i  The  species  of  this  group  have  never  been  critically  studied  ;  some  of  them  are 
doubtful,  and  most  of  them  may  prove  to  be  mere  varieties  of  Cottus  gracilis. 


150  TELEOSTEI.  —  AC  ANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

412.  C.  franklini  Agassiz.     Short  and  stout;  fins  low.     Head 
3£;  depth  4J.     D.  VIII -17.     A.  12.     L.  3.     L.  Superior.     (To 
Sir  John  Franklin.) 

413.  C.  formosus  Girard.     Slender;  head  small,  4^  ;  depth  5J. 
D.  VIII -16.     A.  11.     L.  3J.     L.  Ontario.     (Lat.,  pretty.) 

188.  ACANTHOCOTTTTS  Girard.     SCULPINS.    (aicavOa,  spine ; 

Cottus.) 
a.  Anal  fin  short,  with  10  rays. 

414.  A.   seneus    (Mitchill).      GRUBBY.      Upper   preopercular 
spine   shorter  than  eye,  nearly  twice  length  of  next.     Grayish 
brown,  much  variegated  with  blackish;    no  large  white    spots. 
Head  2|;  depth  4.     D.  IX -13.     A.  10.     V.  I,  3.     L.  6.     Maine 
to  N.  Y.,  common.     (Lat.,  brassy.) 

aa.  Anal  fin  long,  of  14  rays. 

b.  Upper  preopercular  spine  about  as  long  as  eye,   reaching  middle  of 
opercular  spine,  not  twice  length  of  the  spine  below  it. 

415.  A.  acorpiua   (L.)      DADDY   SCULPIN.     BIG   SCULPIN. 
Dark  brown,  with  darker  bars ;   belly  in    £   dusky,  with   round 
black  spots;   fins  spotted  and  barred;   top  of  head  with  spinous 
tubercles;  eye  large.     Head   2£;   depth  4J.     D.  X-17.     A.  14. 
V.  I,  3.     L.  25.     1ST.  Atlantic,  S.  to  N.  Y.     The  American  form  is 
var.  grcenlandicus  C.  &  V.,  distinguished  by  its  larger  size,  broader 
interorbital,  and  higher  fins ;  the  var.  scorpius  ranges  S.  to  Me. 
(Eu.)     (Lat.,  a  scorpion.) 

bb.  Upper  preopercular  spine  very  long,  longer  than  eye,  reaching  beyond 
tip  of  opercular  spine,  its  length  more  than  4  times  that  of  the  spine 
below  it. 

416.  A.  octodecimspinosus   (Mitchill).     Body  slender,  with 
long,  narrow  head ;  a  strong  spine  above  eye ;  top  of  head  with 
ridges ;  eye  very  large.     Olivaceous,  with  dark  bars ;  fins  mottled. 
Head  2J;  depth  5£.     D.  IX -15.     A.  14.    V.  I,  3.     L.  15.     N.  Y. 
to  Nova  Scotia.     (Lat.,  octodecim,  eighteen  ;  spinosus,  spined.) 

189.  ARTEDIELLUS  Jordan.     (Diminutive  of  Artedius,  a 
related  genus.) 

417.  A.  uncinatus  (Kroyer).     Eye  very  large;  spine  of  pre- 
opercle  large,  hooked  upward.     Olivaceous,  mottled  and  barred. 
Head  3;   depth  4^.     D.  VIII -13.     A.  11.     L.  4.     Cape  Cod,  N. 
(Lat.,  hooked.) 

190.  TRIGLOPSIS  Girard.    (rpfyXa,  Trigla ;  o^s,  appearance.) 

418.  T.  thompscmi   Girard.     Body  very  slender;    head  long, 
depressed ;  eye  very  large,  4  in  head ;  skull  extremely  cavernous ; 
preopercle  with  4  short,  sharp  spines ;  soft  D.  and  A.,  very  high ; 
lat.  1.  chain-like.     Olivaceous,  with  faint  dark  blotches.     Head  3 ; 


AGONID.E.  —  LXXIV.  151 

depth  6.  D.  VII  -18.  A.  15.  V.  I,  3.  L.  3.  Deep  waters  of 
L.  Michigan  and  L.  Ontario.  (To  Rev.  Zadock  Thompson,  author 
of  Nat.  Hist,  of  Vermont.) 

191.  TRIGLOPS  Reinhardt.     (rpfyXa,  Trigla;  oty,  appearance.) 

419.  T.  pingeli  Reinhardt.     Head  slender;  eye  large;  tail  very 
slender ;    preopercular   spines  small,  simple ;   sides  with  peculiar 
scales  and  prickles.     Olivaceous,  variegated  with  darker;    sides 
spotted  with  dark ;  a  black  ocellus  on  spinous  D.     Head  3£ ;  depth 
about  5£.    D.  IX -21.    A.  21.    L.  5.    Arctic  seas,  S.to  Cape  Cod. 

192.  GYMNACANTHUS  Swainson.     (yvpvos,  naked ; 
aKavOa,  spine.) 

420.  G.  tricuspia    (Reinhardt).     Eye  very  large ;    skin  mostly 
smooth ;     preopercular    spine   broad,   shorter    than    eye,   with    3 
points ;  V.  very  long.     Dark  brown  with  darker  bars ;  axils  dusky 
in  $  with  round  white  spots.     Head  8J;  depth  4|.     D.  XII -16. 
A.  18.    V.  I,  3.    L.  12.    Arctic,  S.  to  Me.     (JEw.)     (Lat.,  tris, 
three ;  cuspis,  cusp.) 

FAMILY  LXXIV.    AQONnXA     (THE  ALLIGATOR-FISHES.) 

Fishes  allied  to  the  Cottidce  and  similar  in  general  structure,  but 
with  the  body  completely  covered  by  a  coat  of  mail  composed  of 
about  eight  series  of  large  bony  plates ;  head  entirely  bony  exter- 
nally ;  suborbital  stay  covering  the  cheek ;  gills  3^,  no  slit  behind 
the  last,  pseudobranchiae  large.  Vertebrse  (as  in  other  Arctic 
fishes)  numerous,  35  to  40.  Spinous  dorsal  sometimes  wanting. 
Small  fishes,  chiefly  of  the  Arctic  seas;  genera  10,  species  about 
20.  (a,  privative  ;  ycow'a,  joint ;  f .  e.,  rigid.) 

a.  Spinous  dorsal  obsolete ;  gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus.    (Aspidopho- 
roidincs.) 

b.  Bony  plates  keeled,  without  spines;  fins  very  small;  teeth  on  vomer. 

ASPIDOPHOROIDKS,  193. 

193.  ASPIDOPHOROIDES  Lace'pede.     (dcnrfc,  shield;  <£ope'o>, 

to  bear ;  efSo?,  form.) 
a.  Snout  with  two  large  diverging  spines  above ;  no  other  spines  present. 

421.  A.  monopterygius  (Bloch).  Body  elongate,  subterete,  re- 
sembling that  of  a  pipe-fish  ;  eyes  very  large.  Brownish,  obscurely 
banded.  Head  5f ;  depth  9.  D.  5.  A.  6.  Lat.  1.  50.  L.  6.  Cape 
Cod,  N.  (povos,  single  ;  irrfpvt;,  fin.) 

FAMILY  LXXV.    CBPHALACANTHID^B. 
(THE  FLYING  GURNARDS.) 

Body  elongate,  with  bony  keeled  scales  ;  head  blunt,  cuboid,  its 
surface  almost  entirely  bony ;  nuchal  shield  with  a  strong  spine  on 


152  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

each  side  ;  preopercle  with  a  very  long  rough  spine  ;  opercle 
small;  isthmus  very  broad,  scaly;  gill  rakers  minute;  mouth 
small,  with  granular  teeth  in  jaws  only  ;  tail  with  2  serrate,  knife- 
like  appendages.  Spinous  D.  short,  its  first  spines  free  ;  an  im- 
movable spine  between  dorsals;  C.  small,  lunate;  P.  divided  to 
base,  the  anterior  part  corresponding  to  the  free  rays  in  Triglidce, 
of  about  6  rays  connected  by  membrane  ;  the  posterior  part  very 
long  (reaching  C.  in  adult),  the  rays  slender  and  simple;  V.  close 
together,  I,  4.  Air  bladder  complex;  vertebrae  9  -}-  13.  Two 
species  in  the  warm  seas,  able  to  flutter  for  short  distances  in 
the  air. 


194.   CEPHALACANTHUS  Lac^pede.     (/c^aX^,  head; 

aKavda,  spine.) 
a.  Occiput  without  filament. 

422.  C.  volitans   (L.).     FLYING   GURNARD.     SEA   ROBIN. 
Greenish  and  brown,  mottled  with  orange  or  red,  the  belly  usually 
orange;    P.  with  blue  streaks  and  spots;  C.  with  reddish  bars. 
Color  very  variable.     Head  4£;  depth  5£.     D.  II,  IV  -8.     A.  6. 
P.  28-6.     L.  12.     Atlantic,  N.  to  Newf'd.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  flying.) 

FAMILY  LXXVI.    TRIGLID^J.     (THE  GURNARDS.) 

Body  subfusiform,  covered  with  scales  or  bony  plates;  head 
entirely  covered  with  rough  bones,  most  of  them  armed  with 
spines  ;  mouth  moderate,  with  small  teeth  or  none  ;  maxillary 
simple;  gills  4,  a  slit  behind  fourth;  pseudobranchiae  present; 
V.  I,  5,  wide  apart,  separated  by  a  flat  area.  Spinous  D.  short  ; 
A.  without  spines;  C.  narrow.  P.  large,  with  broad  base,  the 
2  or  3  lowermost  rays  detached  from  the  rest  and  separate.  Air 
bladder  present.  Vertebrae  about  24,  as  in  nearly  all  tropical 
fishes.  Genera  5  ;  species  40,  in  all  warm  seas.  (rptyXa,  old 
name  of  Mullus.) 

a.  Body  scaly;  teeth  present  on  jaws,  vomer  and  palatines;  free  P.,  rays  3. 

PRIONOTUS,  195. 

195.  PRIONOTUS  Lacdpede.    SEA  ROBINS,    (npiw,  saw; 

vS>Tos,  back.) 

a.  Mouth  rather  small,  the  maxillary  not  J  head;  a  cross-groove  on  top  of 
head  behind  eye  ;  a  black  ocellated  spot  on  spinous  D. 

423.  P.  carolinus  (L.).     Body  rather  stout;  preopercular  spine 
with  no  smaller  one  before  it;  P.  short,  not  £  body  ;  P.  appendages 
broadened  at  tip;  gill  rakers  about  10;  bones  of  head  compara- 
tively smooth.     Olive,  back  with  4  dark  cross-shades  ;  pale  oblique 
streaks  on  1st  D.     Head  3  ;  depth  5.     D.  X-13.     A.  12.     Lat.  1. 
58   (pores).     L.  12.     Cape  Ann  to  S.  C.     (S.  occurs  P.  scitulus 
J.  &  G.,  slender,  with  short  head  and  spotted  body.) 


LIPARIDID^E.  —  LXXVIL  153 

oa.  Mouth  rather  large;  the  maxillary  about  2J  in  head;  no  cross-groove 

top  of  head;  black  spot  on  1st  D.  diffuse;  preopercular  spine  with  a 
smaller  one  before  it. 

b.  Cheek  bone  without  distinct  spine  at  centre  of  radiation ;  edge  of  pre- 
orbital  granular  serrate ;  spines  on  top  of  head  not  knife-like. 

424.  P.  strigatus  Cuv.  &  Val.     Head  not  very  broad;  gill  rakers 
long,  15  to  20;  interorbital  area  flattish.    Brownish,  side  with  a 
distinct  bronze  band  parallel  with  lateral  line,  this  breaking  up  in 
spots  behind ;  head  spotted ;  body  and  fins  with  dark  clouds ;  P. 
finely  barred  with  black.     Head  2|;  depth  4.     D.  X-12.     A.  11. 
Scales  10-60-23.     P.  2  in  body.     L.  12.     Cape  Cod  to  Va.     (Per- 
haps a  variety  of  P.  evolans  L.,  which  has  scales  larger,  P.  not 
barred,  etc. ;  N.  C.,  S.)     (Lat.,  striped.) 

bb.  Cheek  bone  with  a  spine  at  centre  of  radiation ;  bones  of  head  sharply 
striate;  head  broad,  the  spines  above  compressed  and  knife-like, 
especially  in  young. 

425.  P.  tribulus   Cuv.  &  Val.     Spines  much  larger  than  in 
others,  still  larger  in  young ;  spines  on  snout  and  side  of  cheek  in 
line  with  preocular  spine;  gill  rakers  thickish,  about  10.     Brown- 
ish, much  clouded ;  no  lengthwise  stripe.     Head  2^;  depth  4^.     D. 
X  -12.     A.  11.     Lat.  1.  50.     L.  12.     P.  2  in  body.     N.  Y.  to  Texas. 
(Lat.,  a  thistle,  or  other  source  of  tribulation.) 

FAMILY  LXXVII.    LIPARIDID^J.     (THE  SEA-SNAILS.) 

Body  oblong,  covered  with  lax,  naked  skin;  head  broad,  obtuse; 
suborbital  stay  slender ;  teeth  small,  mostly  tricuspid ;  opercles  un- 
armed; gill  openings  small,  the  membranes  joined  to  the  isthmus; 
gills  3£,  no  slit  behind  last;  no  air  bladder;  pseudobranchiae 
rudimentary.  D  continuous,  the  spines  feeble.  A.  without  spines. 
V.  I,  5,  the  two  fully  united,  forming  the  bony  centre  of  a  broad 
sucking-disk  or  else  wanting.  P.  broad,  the  base  procurrent,  the 
lower  rays  longer  than  those  above  them.  C.  short.  Vertebrae  40 
to  45.  Genera  3;  species  about  20.  Small  fishes  of  the  Arctic 
seas,  some  of  them  in  deep  water.  Although  very  different  in  ap- 
pearance, they  are  closely  related  to  some  of  the  Collides. 

a.  Ventral  disk  present.    (Liparince.) 
b.  Ventral  disk  well  developed ;  vent  well  behind  head.   .    .  LIPARIS,  196. 

196.  LIPARIS  (Artedi)  Fleming,     (\urapos,  sleek-skinned. 
a.  Dorsal  fin  continuous ;  separated  by  a  notch  from  caudal. 

426.  L.  montagui  (Donovan).     Snout  very  broad.     Yellowish, 
the  fins  dark-edged.     Disk  not  quite  half  head.     Head  3£ ;  depth 
4£.     D.  28.     A.  24.     C.  14.     P.  30.     L.  3.     Cape  Cod,  N.     (Eu.) 
(To  Mr.  G.  Montagu,  a  writer  on  British  fishes.) 

aa.  Dorsal  fin  joined  to  the  caudal. 


154  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

427.  L.  liparis  (L.).     SEA  SNAIL.    Body  thick;  yellowish  with 
purplish  stripes.     Disk  2  in  head.     Head  4;   depth  3£.     D.  33. 
A.  28.     P.  34.     L.  5.     Cape  Cod,  N.     (Eu.) 

FAMILY  LXXVIII.    CYCLOPTERIDJE- 
(THE  LUMP  SUCKERS.) 

Closely  related  to  the  Liparididce,  but  with  the  body  short  and 
thick,  covered  with  thick  skin,  which  is  often  tubercular  or  spinous. 
Vertebrae  fewer,  about  28.  Adhesive  ventral  disk  well  developed, 
enabling  the  fishes  to  fasten  themselves  firmly  to  rocks.  Genera  3 ; 
species  4.  In  the  Arctic  seas. 
a.  Spiuous  dorsal  present;  skin  with  bony  plates  and  tubercles. 

b.  Dorsal  spines  not  disappearing ;  gill  opening  a  small  slit  on  level  of  eye ; 
sucking  disk  large EUMICROTREMUS,  197. 

bb.  Dorsal  spines  in  adult  enveloped  in  a  fleshy  hump;  gill  openings  larger; 
disk  small CYCLOPTEKUS,  198. 

197.  EUMICROTREMUS  Gill.     (ev/UKpo'y,  very  small  ;  rpr^ia, 
aperture.) 

428.  E.  spinosus  (Miiller).      Shields  with  small  tubercles  and 
slender  flexible  prickles.      Olivaceous,  the  naked   skin  punctate. 
Head  3;  depth  2.     D.  VII- 11.    A.  10.    C.  10.    Maine,  N.    (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  spined.) 

198.  CYCLOPTERUS  (Artedi)  Lmnasus.     (KVK\OS,  circle; 

TTTfpOV,  fin.) 

429.  C.   lumpus    L.     LUMP-SUCKER.      LUMP-FISH.      Shields 
without  spines.     Olivaceous,  punctulate;  young  black,  with  green 
specks  (Kingsley).    Head  3f ;  depth  2.    D.  VII-10.    A.  10.    L.  15. 
Chesapeake  Bay,  N.     (Eu.)     (English,  lump.) 

HAPLODOCI.  The  next  group  shows  no  close  relation  to  any 
other  of  our  families.  On  account  of  the  simple  post-temporal  (bifur- 
cate in  most  fishes),  Professor  Cope  has  made  of  the  BATRACHID^E 
a  special  suborder,  HAPLODOCI. 

FAMILY  LXXIX.    BATRACHID^l.     (THE  TOAD-FISHES.) 

Body  depressed  anteriorly,  with  compressed  tail ;  head  large,  de- 
pressed, with  well-developed  mucous  channels;  mouth  very  large, 
with  strong  teeth;  gills  3,  a  slit  behind  the  last;  no  pseudobranchise ; 
gill  membranes  broadly  united  to  isthmus ;  no  bony  suborbital  stay ; 
post-temporal  (suprascapula)  undivided;  scales  cycloid,  small  or 
wanting;  dorsals  separate,  the  first  of  2  or  3  low  stout  spines,  the 
second,  like  the  anal,  very  long.  V.  jugular,  I,  2  or  I,  3 ;  P.  broad, 
procurrent;  no  pyloric  caeca.  Vertebrae  30  to  45.  Carnivorous  fishes, 
chiefly  of  warm  seas,  some  of  them  very  large.  The  young  attach 
themselves  to  rocks  by  means  of  an  adhesive  ventral  disk,  which 


GOBIESOCID.E.  —  LXXX.  155 

soon  disappears.    Some  species  have  poison  glands  at  base  of  dorsal 
and  opercular  spines. 

a.  Body  naked;  lateral  line  indistinct,  without  shining  bodies ;  dorsal  spines 
3;  a  foramen  in  the  axil;  no  poison  glands ;  teeth  strong,  blunt. 

BATBACHUS,  199. 

199.  BATRACHUS  Bloch  &  Schneider.     (parpaxos,  frog.) 

430.  B.  tau  (L.).  TOAD-FISH.  OYSTER-FISH.  SAPO.  Pores 
on  jaws  with  cirri ;  subopercie  with  a  strong  spine.  Blackish  green, 
with  dark  markings;  fins  with  dark  bars.  Head  2f;  depth  4£.  D. 
Ill -27.  A.  24.  L.  18.  Cape  Cod  to  W.  L,  very  abundant.  (T., 
from  the  form  of  the  bones  of  the  top  of  the  head.) 

XENOPTERYGII.  We  pass  next  to  the  suborder  XENOPTERYGII, 
a  little  group,  distinguished  by  the  peculiar  sucking  disk  at  the 
breast,  formed  from  the  skin  of  the  body  and  not  from  the  ventral 
fins.  There  is  no  spinous  dorsal  or  suborbital  ring,  and  the  pala- 
tine arcade  is  said  to  be  materially  modified.  The  relations  of  these 
fishes  are  obscure,  but  they  are  probably  descended  from  Batrachoid 
or  Cottoid  forms. 

FAMILY  LXXX.    GOBIBSOCID^E3.     (THE  CLING-FISHES.) 

Body  elongate,  the  head  very  broad  and  depressed,  the  skin 
smooth,  naked ;  mouth  moderate,  upper  jaw  protractile ;  teeth  coni- 
cal or  incisor-like;  opercle  reduced  to  a  spine;  pseudobranchiae 
small  or  0 ;  gills  2£  or  3 ;  gill  membranes  broadly  united ;  D.  small, 
posterior,  similar  to  anal,  both  of  soft  rays  only;  V.  I,  4  or  I,  5; 
the  fins  wide  apart,  and  between  them  a  very  large  sucking  disk 
composed  chiefly  of  folds  of  skin.  No  air-bladder.  Vertebrae  26  to 
36.  Small  carnivorous  fishes  of  the  warm  seas,  living  in  tide  pools 
and  clinging  firmly  to  stones.  Genera  10;  species  30. 

a.  Gill  membranes  free  from  isthmus;  gills  3;  lower  jaw  with  incisors;  pos- 
terior part  of  sucking  disk  without  free  anterior  margin. 

GOBIESOX,  200. 

200,  GOBIESOX  Lacdpede.     (Gobius  -{-  Esox.) 

431.  G.  strumosus  Cope.  Lower  incisors  not  serrate.  Head 
very  wide,  its  width  2%  in  total  (withC.);  eye  small;  teeth  ^|;  no 
canine.  Plumbeous,  fins  blackish.  D.  11.  A.  10.  Va.  to  S.  C., 
scarce.  (Lat.,  swollen.) 

SCYPHOBRANCHII.  The  Blennioid,  Gobioid,  and  Uranoscopoid 
fishes  show  more  or  less  definite  affinities  with  each  other,  and  in 
some  degree  with  the  HAPLODOCI  and  CATAPHRACTI.  Like  the 
latter  they  have  the  third  upper  pharyngeal  enlarged  and  basin- 
shaped,  but  they  have  no  suborbital  stay,  unless  the  bony  cheek  in 
URANOSCOPID^E  be  regarded  as  representing  the  latter.  They 


156  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

form  together  a  group  or  suborder  called  by  Professor  Cope  the 

SCYPHOBRANCHII. 

FAMILY  LXXXI.     URANOSCOPID^E.     (THE   STAR- 
GAZERS.) 

Body  elongate,  tapering  behind;  scales  usually  small,  cycloid; 
lateral  line  mostly  obsolete.  Head  cuboid,  usually  mailed  above 
and  on  cheeks.  Eyes  small,  on  front  of  top  of  head.  Mouth  verti- 
cal, the  lower  jaw  prominent,  the  lips  mostly  fringed  ;  teeth  small  ; 
premaxillaries  protractile  ;  maxillary  broad,  simple,  not  concealed 
by  preorbital.  Gill  openings  very  wide,  the  membranes  free  ;  gills 
3^,  a  small  slit  behind  the  last.  Pseudobranchiae  present.  Spinous 
D.  very  short,  the  fin  long;  A.  long;  P.  with  broad  oblique  base; 
V.  jugular,  I,  5.  No  air-bladder.  Carnivorous  fishes  of  the  shores 
in  warm  regions.  Genera  about  7  ;  species  20.  (ovpavos,  sky  ; 
(TKoirfu,  to  look.) 

a.  Dorsal  fins  two  ;  head  without  spines. 

b.  Head  above  entirely  covered  by  a  rugose  coat  of  mail;  a  small  barbel 
in  mouth,  before  tongue  ..........  ASTROSCOPUS,  201. 

bb.  Head  above  with  a  Y-shaped  bony  projection  extending  forward  from 
occipital  region;  on  each  side  of  this  shield  a  trapezoidal  naked  area; 
mouth  without  tentacle  .........  UPSILONPHORUS,  202. 

201.   ASTROSCOPUS  Brevoort.      (aarpov,  star  ;   O-KOTTCO),  to 

look.) 

432.  A.  anoplos  (Cuv.  &  Val.).  Jet  black  above  and  on  lower 
jaw  and  1st  D.;  belly  and  fins  pale;  scales  minute.  Head  2^;  depth 
3£.  D.  IV  -14.  A.  13.  L.  2J.  N.  Y.  to  Key  West. 
unarmed.) 


202.  UPSILONPHORUS  Gill.     (tyiXoV,  Y;  <£opeo>,  to  bear, 
from  the  bones  on  top  of  head.) 

433.  U.  y-graecum  (Cuv.  &  Val.)  Brownish,  everywhere  finely 
spotted  with  white  ;  a  dark  horizontal  band  on  tail;  C.  with  length- 
wise stripes.  Head  2£  ;  depth  3£.  D.  IV  -13.  A.  12.  Lat  1. 
113.  L.  10.  N.  J.,  S. 

FAMILY  LXXXH.    GOBIID-^j.     (THE  GOBIES.) 

Body  oblong  or  elongate,  variously  naked  or  scaly  ;  no  lateral 
line  ;  mouth  and  teeth  various  ;  premaxillary  protractile  ;  suborbital 
without  bony  stay  ;  skin  of  head  covering  eyes  ;  opercles  mostly  un- 
armed ;  pseudobranchise  present  ;  gills  4  ;  gill  membranes  united 
with  the  isthmus  ;  spinous  dorsal  little  developed,  of  2  to  8  flexible 
spines  ;  anal  without  spine  ;  V.  I,  5,  close  together  or  usually  fully 
united  into  a  sort  of  sucking  disk  ;  C.  convex  ;  anal  papilla  evident. 


BLENNIID^E.  —  LXXXIII.  157 

No  pyloric  caeca  or  air-bladder.  Vertebrae  about  25.  Small,  car- 
nivorous fishes,  creeping  about  on  sea-bottoms  after  the  fashion  of 
the  Darters,  a  group  which  the  Gobies  much  resemble.  Genera  70 ; 
species  about  400,  chiefly  of  tropical  seas  and  ponds.  South  of 
Cape  Hatteras  a  multitude  of  species  are  found,  but  only  one  is  at 
all  common  N.  of  that  point. 

a.  Ventral  fins  united;  dorsals  separate,  free  from  caudal.    (Gobiince.) 
b.  Ventral  disk  not  adnate  to  belly;  teeth  simple;  shoulder  girdle  without 
fleshy  processes. 

c.  Body  with  ctenoid  scales ;  dorsal  spines  6 GOBIUS,  203. 

cc.  Body  with  small,  cycloid  scales  ;  dorsal  spines  7  or  8. 

MICROGOBIUS,  204. 
ccc.  Body  entirely  naked GOBIOSOMA,  205. 

203.  GOBIUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (The  old  name,  from  Ka>/3«fe, 
gudgeon.) 

434.  G.  soporator  Cuv.  &  Val.     Olivaceous,  dotted.     C.  short. 
Head  3;  depth  4|.     D.  VI- 1,  9.     A.  I,  8.     Scales  35-13.     L.  6. 
Tropics ;  N.  to  Carolina.     (Lat.,  sleeper.) 

204.  MICROGOBIUS  Poey.     (/u/ep<fc,  small ;  Gobius.) 

435.  M.  eulepis  Eigenmann  &  Eigenmann.     Yellowish,  dotted; 
1st  D.  with  black  spot.     Head  4 ;  depth  5£.     D.  VII- 15.     A.  16. 
Scales  50-14.     L.  2.     Fortress  Monroe,     (cv,  well ;  \cnis,  scale.) 

205.  GOBISOMA  Girard.     (Gobius;  <ro>/ia, body.) 

436.  G.  bosci  (Lacepede).     Body  moderately  chubby;  cheeks 
tumid.     Olive  with  darker  cross-shades.     Head  3^-;  depth  5  to  6. 
D.  VII -14.     A.  10.     L.  2J.     Cape  Cod  to  S.  C.     (To  M.  Bosc, 
French  consul  at  Charleston.) 

FAMILY  LXXXIII.    BLENNIID^.    (THE  BLENNIES.) 

Body  oblong  or  variously  elongate,  naked,  or  covered  with  smooth 
scales ;  teeth  well  developed ;  suborbital  ring  without  "  stay  " ;  D. 
long,  continuous,  or  divided ;  the  anterior  portion,  and  sometimes 
the  whole  fin  of  spines,  either  stiff  or  flexible ;  anal  long ;  V.  jugu- 
lar, few  rayed  or  wan  ting;  C.  present;  tail  not  isocercal;  pseudo- 
branchise  present;  air-bladder  usually  wanting.  Vert.  30  to  100. 
Genera  50 ;  species  nearly  300,  a  varied  group  mostly  inhabiting 
shallow  sea-bottoms  and  rock-pools.  A  few  are  ovo viviparous. 
(Blennius,  ancient  name,  from  /SXci/ra,  slime.) 

a.  Teeth  long,  slender,  curved,  like  comb-teeth,  in  front  of  jaws  only  ;  body 
naked  ;  soft  rays  forming  about  half  of  D. ;  V.  well  developed.    Vertebrae 
30  to  40.     Carnivorous,  oviparous,  tropical.     (Blenniiiue.) 
b.  Gill  membranes  broadly  united  to  the  isthmus. 

d.  Mouth  large;  head  pointed;  no  canines.    .    .    .    CHASMODES,  206. 
dd.  Mouth  small,  the  head  blunt  in  profile. 


158  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERL — XX. 

e.  Canine  teeth  none ISESTHES,  207. 

ee.  Canine  teeth  in  one  or  both  jaws  behind  the  other  teeth. 

HYPLEUROCHILUS,  208. 

aa.  Teeth  conic  (not  like  comb-teeth);  D.  (in  our  genera)  of  spines  only; 
vertebrae  very  numerous;  lateral  line  not  bent;   body  scaly;  species 
chiefly  Arctic. 
f.  Gill  openings  not  continued  forward  below,  the  membranes  broadly 

united.    V.  minute  or  wanting.     (Xiphidiince.) 

g.  Lateral  line  none;  V.  rudimentary;  gill  membrane  free  from  isth- 
mus; A.  with  2  small  spines;  no  pyloric  caeca.   MUR/BNOIDES,  209. 
ff.    Gill  openings    prolonged    forward  below,   separated  by  a  narrow 
isthmus;    P.  long;    V.  well  developed;    oviparous;  herbivorous. 
(StichceinoB.) 
h.  Lateral  line  present. 

i.  Lateral  line  forked  or  duplicated.       .      EUMESOGRAMMUS,  210. 

u.  Lateral  line  simple STICH^EUS,  211. 

hh.  Lateral  line  wanting;  teeth  on  jaws  only.    LEPTOBLENNIUS,  212. 

206.  CH  AS  MODES  Cuv.  &  Val.     (xao7ia>6V,  yawning.) 

437.  C.  bosquianus   (Lacepede).     Orbital  tentacle  minute  or 
wanting ;  maxillary  reaching  beyond  eye ;  $  olive  green  with  9  blue 
lines;  head  and  1st  D.  with  orange;    9  dark  green, reticulated  and 
barred.     Head  3£;  depth  3J.     D.  XI,  19.     A.  20.     L.  3.     N.  Y. 
to  La.     (To  M.  Bosc,  a  zealous  collector  of  the  fishes  ef  S.  C.) 

207.  ISESTHES  Jordan  &  Gilbert.     (10-09,  equal ;  e'trdcco,  to  eat.) 

438.  I.  hentz  (Le  Sueur).     Orbital  cirrus  bifid  at  tip,  as  long  as 
D.  spines.     D.  high,  the  spines  stiff.     Olive,  with  vague  bars ;  head 
with  distinct  black  spots.    Head  3f ;  depth  3£.    D.  XII,  15.    A.  19. 
L.  2£.    Md.  to  La.    (Bl. punctatus  Wood;  name  preoccupied.)    (To 
Mr.  Hentz,  an  early  entomologist.) 

208.  HYPLEUROCHILUS  Gill,     (v,  upsilon ;  ir\cvp6v,  side ; 
XfZXos,  lip.) 

439.  H.  geminatus  (Wood).     Orbital  cirrus  branched,  very  high 
in  $  ;  D.  spines  slender.     Olive  brown,  back  and  fins  with  black 
spots  in  $.     Head  3£;  depth  4.     D.  XI,  15.    A.  18.     L.  2J.    Va. 
to  Texas,  with  the  two  preceding  and  others,  among  oyster  shells 
and  clusters  of  tunicates ;  also  about  ballast  piles.     (BL  multifilis 
Girard,  $ .)     (Lat.,  twin.) 

209.  MUR-SJNOIDES  Lacepede.     (pvpaiva,  moray;  eidos-,  form.) 
a.  Ventrals  present,  I,  1. 

440.  M.  gunnellus  (L.).    BUTTER-FISH.    Head  naked.    Brown 
with  darker  bars ;  black  ocelli  along  base  of  D.     Head  8  ;  depth  9. 
D.  LXXVIII.     A.  II,  38.     Vert.  85.     L.  12.     Labrador  to  Va., 
common  in  sea  weed,  N.    (£Ju.)    (From  "  gunnel,"  gunwale,  wrongly 
supposed  to  be  its  English  name.) 


CRYPTACANTHODID.E.  —  LXXXIV.  159 

210.  EUMESOGRAMMUS  Gill.    (<v,  well ;  MeW,  middle ; 
ypa/i/jj;,  line.) 

441.  E.  subbifurcatus  (Storer).     Brownish  with  pale  blotches ; 
black  bars  on  head ;  D.  with  black  dots ;  lateral  line  with  upper 
branch  only.     Head  4 £ ;  depth  5.     D.  XLIV.     A.  30.     Cape  Cod; 
N.  rare.     (Lat.,  sub,  almost ;  bis,  two ;  furcatus,  forked.) 

211.  STICHJETJS  Reinhardt.     (ort^ao),  to  set  in  rows.) 

442.  S.  punctatus  (Fabricius).     Scarlet ;  D.  with  black  spots. 
Head  4£ ;  depth  about  6£.    D.  XL.    A.  I,  35.     Cape  Cod,  N. 

212.    LEPTOBLENNIUS  Gill.     (X«rros,  slender;   Blennius.) 

443.  L.  serpentinus  (Storer).     Head  small;  olive,  with  pale 
shades;   D.  with  oblique  white  bands.     Head  9;  depth  15.     D. 
LXXV.     A.  50.    V.  I,  3.     L.  12.    Cape  Cod,  N. 

FAMILY  LXXXIV.     CRYPTACANTHODID^J.    (THE 
WRYMOUTHS.) 

Fishes  allied  to  the  Blenniidce,  but  with  the  head  cuboid,  with 
vertical  cheeks,  conspicuous  muciferous  channels  in  jaws  and  pre- 
opercle  ;  top  of  head  flat;  snout  short ;  lower  jaw  very  heavy,  cleft 
of  mouth  vertical;  teeth  conical,  on  jaws,  vomer,  and  palatines; 
gill  membranes  joined  to  the  narrow  isthmus  ;  P.  short ;  V.  want- 
ing ;  D.  very  long,  of  spines  only,  enveloped  in  thick  skin ;  D.,  A., 
and  C.  joined.  Body  naked  or  scaly.  VertebrsB  many.  Genera,  2; 
species  2.  Arctic, 
a.  Body  scaleless. CRYPTACANTHOPES,  213. 

213.    CRYPT  AC  ANTHODES  Storer.      (Kpvnr6s,  hidden; 
aKai/0o>S?7?,  spined.) 

444.  C.  maculatus  Storer.  WRY-MOUTH.   GHOST-FISH.   Brown, 
with  dark   spots,  rarely  immaculate.     Head   6£;   depth  13.     D. 
LXXIII.     A.  50.    L.  24.     Cape  Cod,  N. 

FAMILY  LXXXV.    ANARRHICHADID^l.    (THE  WOLF- 

FISHES.) 

Fishes  similar  to  the  Blennies  in  most  respects,  but  with  the 
vomer  very  thick  and  solid,  with  two  series  of  coarse  molar  teeth ; 
palatines  with  similar  teeth ;  jaws  with  canines  in  front,  the  pos- 
terior teeth  below  molar.  Scales  rudimentary;  no  lateral  line; 
gill  membranes  joined  to  isthmus.  D.  high,  of  flexible  spines  only. 
V.  wanting.  Air-bladder  present.  Vertebrae  numerous.  Large 
fishes  of  northern  seas.  Two  genera  and  5  or  6  species ;  one  of 
them  commonly,  others  rarely,  taken  off  our  coast, 
a.  Tail  not  very  long,  with  a  caudal  fin,  distinct  from  D.  and  A. 

ANARRHICHAS,  214. 


160  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI. —  XX. 

214.    ANARRHICHAS    (Artedi)    Linnseus.      (Ancient  name, 
from  ai/appt^do/zat,  to  scramble  up.) 

445.  A.  lupus  L.      WOLF-FISH.      Vomerine  teeth  extending 
much  farther  back  than  palatine.     Brown,  sides  with  9  to  12  black 
bars,  continued  on  D.,  besides  dark  spots  and  reticulations.     Head 
6  ;  depth  5£.     D.  LXII.    A.  42.    L.  4  feet.    Cape  Cod,  1ST.     (Eu.) 
(Lat,  wolf.) 

FAMILY  LXXXVI.    LYCODIDu3E.     (THE  EEL-POUTS.) 

Body  more  or  less  eel-shaped,  naked  or  with  small,  cycloid  scales ; 
mouth  large,  with  conical  teeth ;  head  unarmed ;  gill  membranes 
united  to  isthmus;  pseudobranchiae  present;  gills  4.  D.  and  A. 
very  long,  of  soft  rays  only,  or  with  a  few  spines  in  posterior  part 
iof  D.  P.  small.  Vertical  fins  confluent  around  the  tail.  V.  ju- 
gular, imperfect  or  wanting ;  lateral  line  obsolete.  Vertebras  in 
large  number.  Genera  10;  species  35.  Cold  or  deep  waters, 
chiefly  Arctic.  This  group  seems  most  closely  allied  to  the  Blen- 
nies,  but  it  agrees  with  the  Anacanthini  in  wanting  the  spinous 
dorsal.  (\vKa>8r)s,  wolfish.) 

a.  D.  with  some  of  its  posterior  rays  very  short  and  spine-like;  V.  small. 
(Zoarcince.) 

b.  Scales  present ;  teeth  strong,  in  jaws  only ZOARCES,  215. 

215.  ZOARCES  Cuvier.     (£coapxfc>  viviparous.) 

446.  Z.  anguillaris  (Peck).  EEL-POUT.  MUTTON-FISH.  MOTHER 
OF  EELS.     Brownish,  mottled  with  olive.     Head  6  ;  depth  6.     D. 
95,  XVIII,  17.     A.  105.      L.  20.     Del.  to  Labrador,  common  N. 
(On  the  Grand  Banks  occur  several  species  of  the  related  genus 
Lycodes,  which  is  without  D.  spines.)     (Lat.,  like  an  eel.) 

The  next  family  is  in  several  respects  peculiar,  and  marks  the 
transition  from  the  Bleimy-like  to  the  Cod-like  fishes. 

FAMILY  LXXXVII.        PHIDIID.,®.     (THE  DOXZELLAS.) 

Body  eel-shaped,  naked  or  covered  with  very  small  scales  which 
are  placed  in  oblique  series  at  right  angles  to  each  other ;  mouth 
large,  with  villiform  or  cardiform  teeth.  Gill  openings  wide,  the 
gill  membranes  narrowly  joined  to  the  isthmus  behind  V. ;  pseudo- 
branchiae  small  or  0.  Gills  4.  Vertical  fins  low,  of  soft  rays  only, 
confluent  around  the  isocercal  tail.  Ventral  fins  at  the  throat,  each 
developed  as  a  long  forked  barbel.  Air-bladder  present.  Genera  5, 
species  15  ;  carnivorous  fishes  of  the  warm  seas. 
a.  Body  scaly;  palatines  with  a  band  of  villiform  teeth  only;  opercle  with- 
out spine;  teeth  in  jaws  fixed OPHIDION,  216. 

216.  OPHIDION  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.    (Diminutive  of  6'$t?,  snake.) 

447.  O.  marginatum  DeKay.    Brownish  ;  D.  and  A.  edged  with 
black.     Air-bladder  short  and  broad,  with  foramen  below ;   gill 


GADID.E.  —  LXXXVIII.  161 

rakers  4.    V.  as  long  as  head.    Head  6^.    D.  7£.    N.  Y.  to  Texas, 
scarce. 

ANACANTHIXI.  This  suborder  is  distinguished  chiefly  by  the 
total  absence  of  spines  in  the  fins,  and  also  by  the  absence  of  any 
foramen  in  the  scapular  bone.  The  ventrals  are  jugular,  the 
scales  various.  There  are  2  or  3  families,  the  best  known  being 
the 

FAMILY  LXXXVIII.    GADID^J.    (THE  COD-FISHES.) 

Body  elongate,  ending  in  an  isocercal  tail ;  scales  small,  cycloid. 
Mouth  large,  the  teeth  various.  No  pseudobranchiae.  Vertical 
fins  separate.  D.  and  A.  long ;  no  fin  spines.  Gill  openings  very 
wide,  the  membranes  free  from  the  isthmus.  Gills  4.  Air-bladder 
present.  Pyloric  caeca  numerous.  Vertebrae  about  50.  Genera 
30,  species  about  90.  Carnivorous  fishes,  chiefly  of  the  Northern 
seas,  many  of  them  of  great  economic  value.  One  species  in  fresh 
waters. 

a.  Chin  with  a  barbel;  frontal  bone  normal;  top  of  head  without  excavated 

area.     (Gadince.) 

b.  First  D.  composed  of  a  band  of  fringes,  preceded  by  a  single  ray;  bar- 
bels 4;  one  on  chin,  one  on  each  nostril,  one  on  snout;  anal  fin  single. 

RHINONEMUS,  217. 
bb.  First  D.  of  distinct  rays. 
c.  Dorsal  fins  two;  anal  fin  one. 
d.  Ventrals  narrow,  filamentous,  each  of  2  or  3  slender  rays. 

PHYCIS,  218. 
dd.  Ventrals  broader,  each  of  about  6  rays;  vomer  with  teeth;   no 

canines LOTA,  219. 

cc.  Dorsal  and  anal  fins  each  single ;  ventrals  well-developed. 

BROSMIUS,  220. 
ccc.  Dorsal  fins  three ;  anals  two. 

e.  Lower  jaw  included;  barbel  well  developed. 
f.  Vent  below  second  dorsal. 

g.  Shoulder  girdle  with  its  chief  bone  or  coracoid  much  swollen ; 
(lateral  line  black ;  maxillary  not  reaching  eye) 

MELANOGEAMMUS,  221. 

gg.  Shoulder  girdle  normal ;  (lateral  line  pale;  maxillary  reach- 
ing past  front  of  eye) GADUS,  222. 

ff.  Vent  in  front  of  second  dorsal ;  (skull  peculiar) 

MlCROGADUS,  223. 

ee.  Lower  jaw  projecting;  barbel  minute;  teeth  of  upper  jaw  sub- 
equal POLLACHIUS,  224. 

aa.  Chin  without  trace  of  barbel ;  frontal  bone  divided ;  top  of  head  with  a 
large  triangular  excavated  area,  bounded  by  ridges.     (Merlucciinas.) 
h.  Lower  jaw  projecting;  teeth  sharp,  unequal,  the  larger  ones 
movable;  dorsals  two;  anal  single;  A.  and  2d  D.  deeply 
notched ;  scales  loose,  silvery.     .     .    MERLUCCIUS,  225. 
11 


162  TELEOSTEI:  ACANTHOPTERI.  —  XX. 

217.  RHINONEMUS  Gill.     (piV,  nose  ;  ve^  barbel.) 

448.  R.  cimbrius  (L.).     FOUK-BEARDED  ROCKLING.      Head 
high,  compressed ;  no  canines ;  mouth  large.     Brownish ;  D.  and 
A.  behind,  and  C.  below,  abruptly  black;  mouth  black  within. 
Head  5  ;  depth  6.     D.  50.     A.  43.     V.  5.     L.  12.     Cape  Cod,  N. 
(Eu.)     (Lat.,  Welsh.) 

218.  PHYCIS  Bloch  and  Schneider.     (<£vKtr,  old  name  from 
Fucus,  sea-weed.) 

o.  First  dorsal  with  one  or  more  filamentous  rays.    (Phyds.) 
b.  Filamentous  ray  of  D.  more  than  twice  head. 

449.  P.  Chester!  Goode  &  Bean.     Brownish.     Head  4£ ;  depth 

5.  D.  10,  56.     A.  56.     Lat.  1.  90.     Mass.,  in  deep  water.     (To 
Captain  H.  C.  Chester,  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Com.) 

bb.  Filamentous  ray  of  D.  not  twice  head. 
c.  Scales  moderate;  lat.  1. 110. 

450.  P.   chuss    (Walbaum).      CODLING.      SQUIRREL    HAKE. 
Brownish,  punctulate,  yellowish  below.     Head  4-^ ;  depth  5.     D. 
9-57.     A.  50.     L.  15.     Va.,  N.     (Vernacular  name.) 

cc.  Scales  very  small;  lat.  1.  140. 

451.  P.  tenuis  (Mitchill).    WHITE  HAKE.    CODLJNG.     Brown, 
yellowish  below;  fins  very  dark.     Head  4J;  depth  5£.      D.  9,  57. 
A.  48.    L.  12.     Va.,  N.     (Lat.,  slender.) 

aa.  First  dorsal  without  filamentous  rays.    (  Urophycts  Gill.) 

452.  P.  regius  (Walbaum).     SPOTTED   CODLING.     Yellowish 
brown;   lateral  line  dark,  interrupted  by  white  spots;   sides  of 
head  and  2d  D.  with  black  spots  ;  1st  D.  largely  black.     Head  4^: 
depth  4£.     D.  8-43.     A.  45.     Lat.  1.  90.     L.  12.     Cape  Cod  to 
N.  C. ;  said  to  possess  electric  powers.     (Lat.,  royal.) 

219.  LOTA  Cuvier.     (Lota,  the  ancient  name.) 

453.  L.  lota  (L.).  BURBOT.    LAWYER.   LING.  Head  depressed ; 
maxillary  reaching  posterior  margin  of  the  very  small  eye ;  scales 
very  small.     Dark  olive,  thickly  marbled  and  reticulate  with  black- 
ish, the  adult  duller ;  edges  of  vertical  fins  dusky.    Head  4| ;  depth 

6.  D.  13-76.     A.  68.     V.  7.    Vert.  59.    Caeca  30.    L.  30.    Arctic 
America  and  Europe,  abundant  in  lakes,  S.  to  Conn.  R.,  Ohio  R., 
etc. ;  a  fish  of  little  value  as  food,  but  widely  distributed.     The 
Amer.  form  is  var.  maculosa  Le  Sueur.     (Eu.) 

220.  BROSMIUS  Cuvier.     (From  the  Danish  name  Irosme.) 

454.  B.  brosme  (Muller).      CUSK.     Brownish,  usually  mottled 
with  yellowish.     Head  4 J  ;  depth  5 J.     D.  98.     A.  71.     Cape  Cod, 
N.     (Ew.) 


GADID.E.  —  LXXXVIII.  163 

221.  MELANOGRAMMUS  Gill.   (/zfAcu/o'r,  black  ;  ypa/i^,  line.) 

455.  M.   seglifinus    (L.).      HADDOCK.      Snout  long;   dorsals 
pointed ;  C.  lunate ;  skull  depressed,  the  bones  thin  ;   the  supra- 
occipital  crest  very  high,  with  wing-like  projections  at  base.     Dark 
gray,  a  large  black  blotch  above  P.     Head  3f ;  depth  4£.     D.  15- 
24-21.    A.  23-21.    L.  30.    Va.,  N. ;  an  important  food-fish.    (Eu.} 
(Low  Lat.,  haddock.) 

222.  GADUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (The  Latin  name,  akin  to  the 

English  Cod.) 

456.  G.  callarias  L.      COD-FISH.     Head  large;  occipital  keel 
not  high ;  fins  not  elevated ;  C.  slightly  notched.     Brownish,  the 
ground  color  varying  much ;  back  and  sides  with  round  brownish 
spots;  fins  dark.     Head  3^  to  4£;  depth  4.      D.  14-21-19.      A. 
20-18.    L.  3  feet  or  more.    N.  Atl.  and  N".  Pac.,  S.  to  Va.  and 
Ore.,*  one  of  the  most  important  of  food-fishes.     (Eu.)     (G.  mor- 
rhua  L.)     (Lat.,  Callarias,  a  young  cod.) 

223.  MICROGADUS  Gill.     (luKP6st  small ;  Gadus.) 

457.  M.  tomcod  (Walbaum).    TOM-COD.    FROST-FISH.    Snout 
rounded ;  maxillary  reaching  pupil,  2^  in  head.     Eye  3|.     Olive- 
brown,   spotted   and  blotched   with  darker ;   surface  punctulate. 
Head  3f ;   depth  5.     D.  13-17-18.     A.  20-17.     L.  12.     Va.  to 
Labrador,  a  diminutive  Cod-fish,  common  N. 

224.  POLLACHIUS  Nilsson.     (From  Pollack.) 

458.  P.  virens  (L.)    POLLACK.    COAL-FISH.    P.  short,  scarcely 
reaching  A.    Greenish,  somewhat  silvery  below ;  fins  pale ;  usually 
a  dark  spot  in  axil.     Head  4  ;  depth  4J.    D.  13-22-20.    A.  25-20. 
Lat.  1.  250.     L.  18.     Va.,  N.     (£w.) 

225.  MERLUCCIU3  Rafinesque.     (Merlucius  "Sea-Pike,"  the 
ancient  name.) 

459.  M.  bilinearis  (Mitchill).     SILVER  HAKE.     STOCK-FISH. 
WHITING.    Top  of  head  with  well  defined  W-shaped  ridges ;  teeth 
not  very  large.    P.  and  V.  long,  f  head.   Grayish,  sides  dull  silvery ; 
axil  inside  of  mouth  and  peritoneum  black.     Flesh  soft.      Head 
3f ;  depth  6J.     D.  13-41.     A.  40.     Lat.  1.  105.     L.  2  feet.     Va., 
N.,  not  rare.     (Lat.,  bis  two ;  linearis,  lined.) 

ORDER  XXI.     HETEROSOMATA.     (THE  FLAT-FISHES.) 

This  group  seems  to  be  an  offshoot  from  the  Gadidce.  Its  essen- 
tial feature  is  in  the  unsymmetrical  character  of  the  bones  of  the 
head.  The  head  is  twisted  about,  so  that  both  eyes  are  on  the  same 
side.  The  body  is  compressed,  and  the  side  without  eyes  is  habit- 
ually kept  lowermost.  The  blind  side  is  usually  colorless.  The  very 


164       TELEOSTEI  :  HETEROSOMATA. — XXI. 

young  are  symmetrical,  one  eye  on  each  side,  the  body  is  translu- 
cent and  the  fish  is  vertical  in  the  water.  The  processes  by  which 
the  eye  of  the  lower  side  becomes  transferred  through  or  over  the 
head  to  the  other  side  are  very  curious  and  interesting.  There  is 
but  one  family,  (erepds  different ;  croo/ia,  body.) 

FAMILY  LXXXIX.    PLEURONECTID^E.     (THE 
FLOUNDERS.) 

Body  strongly  compressed,  the  cranium  twisted  so  that  both  eyes 
are  on  the  colored  side ;  mouth  and  dentition  various ;  premaxil- 
laries  protractile ;  maxillary  simple ;  pseudobranchiae  present.  Gills 
4 ;  no  air  bladder ;  vent  not  far  behind  head ;  scales  various ;  fins 
without  spines.  D.  very  long ;  A.  similar,  shorter ;  P.  and  V.  vari- 
ous. Fishes  mostly  carnivorous,  chiefly  found  on  sandy  sea-bottoms, 
some  of  them  ascending  rivers.  Genera  50 ;  species  450.  Those 
species  found  in  Arctic  seas  have,  as  usual,  an  increased  number  of 
vertebraB ;  the  tropical  forms  have  30  to  35  ;  the  others  40  to  70. 

a.  Flounders:  Edge  of  preopercle  free;  teeth  present;  P.  and  V.  well  developed 

(with  rare  exceptions). 
b.  Mouth  nearly  symmetrical,  the  teeth  nearly  alike  on  the  two  sides,  the 

gape  usually  but  not  always  wide. 

c.  Ventral  fins  symmetrical,  similar  in  position  and  in  form  of  base,  the 
ventral  of  eyed  side  not  extended  along  the  ridge  of  abdomen. 
(  Hippoglossince . ) 

d.  Vertebrae  and  fin  rays  much  increased  in  number  (vertebrae  about 
50;  D.  100;  A.  85);  body  elongate;  C.  lunate;  lateral  line  simple ; 
no  anal  spine ;  eye  on  right  side. 

e.  Lateral  line  without  arch.       .     .    .    PLATYSOMATICHTHYS,  226. 

ee.  Lateral  line  with  an  arch  anteriorly.      .    .    HIPPOGLOSSUS.  227. 

dd.  Vertebrae  and  fin  rays  in  moderate  number;  (Vert,  less  than  46; 

D.  less  than  95;  A.  less  than  75);  C.  double  truncate. 
f.  Lateral  line  without  arch ;  vertebrae  45 ;  eyes  on  right  side ;  scales 
firm,  ciliated;  spine  before  A.  strong;  D.  beginning  above  eye. 

HIPPOGLOSSOIDES,  228. 

ff.  Lateral  line  arched  in  front;  vertebrae  35  to  41;  eyes  on  left  side; 
scales  nearly  smooth;  anal  spine  weak;  D.  beginning  before 

eye PAKALICHTHYS,  229. 

cc.  Ventral  fins  unsymmetrical,  dissimilar  in  position  or  in  form ;  the  left 
V.  extended  along  ridge  of  abdomen ;  eyes  on  left  side.  (Pltu- 
ronectince.) 

g.  Vomer  with  teeth;  lateral  line  arched  in  front;  vertebrae  31  to 
36;  mouth  large;  teeth  in  bands;  form  broad-ovate;  scales 
cycloid,  small  or  wanting;  interorbital  space  not  concave. 

PLEURONECTES,  230. 

gg.  Vomer  toothless;  V.  free  from  A;  Vert.  34  to  40. 
h.  Lateral  line  arched  in  front;  teeth  small,  in  1  or  2  series;  in- 
terorbital space  broad,  concave;  scales  small,  ctenoid. 

PLATOPHRYS,  231. 


PLEURONECTnXffl.  —  LXXXIX.  165 

hh.  Lateral  line  straightish;  scales  thin,  deciduous. 
*.  Mouth  moderate,  the  maxillary  more  than  J  head. 

ClTHARICHTHYS,  232. 

u.  Mouth  very  small,  the  teeth  equal,  the  maxillary  not  J  head. 

ETKOPUS,  233. 
bb.  Mouth  unsymmetrical,  the  teeth  chiefly  on  the  blind  side;  V.  nearly 

symmetrical;  eyes  on  right  side.     (Platessince.) 

j.  Vertebrae  in  moderate  number  (36  to  44);  D.  65  to  80;  A.  45  to  60. 
k.  Teeth  in  one  row;  lateral  line  not  branched. 

I.  Lateral  line  with  an  arch  in  front;  scales  ctenoid. 

LIMAMDA,  234. 

II.  Lateral  line  without  arch ;  teeth  incisor-like. 

m.  Scales  regularly  imbricate,  all  on  eyed  side  ctenoid,  in  both 
sexes;  lower  pharyngeals  very  narrow,  with  slender  teeth, 

in  two  rows PSEUDOPLEUEONECTES,  235. 

mm.  Scales  imperfectly  imbricate,  rough  —  ctenoid  in  rf,  smooth- 

ish  in   9 ;  lower  pharyngeals  very  large,  partly  united, 

with  blunt  teeth  in  5  or  6  rows.  .    ".    .    LIOPSETTA,  236. 

jj.  Vertebrae  in  increased  number  (58  to  65);  D.  100  or  more;  A.  70  to 

100;  teeth  broad;  left  side  of  skull  with  large  mucous  cavities; 

anal  spine  strong;  body  elongate,  compressed. 

GLYPTOCEPHALUS,  237. 
aa.  Soles:  edge  of  preopercle  obscured  bv  the  scales;  mouth  very  small, 

strongly  twisted  towards  blind  side ;'  teeth  rudimentary, 
re.  Eyes  on  right  side,  separated  by  a  bony  ridge.     (Soleina.) 
o.  Gill  openings  moderate,   confluent  below;    vertical  fins  separate; 
right  V.   confluent  with  A.;  vertebrae  28;    body  ovate;    scales 
ctenoid,   those    on    head    enlarged    and  fringed;    P.  minute  or 

wanting ACHIRUS,  238. 

nn.  Eyes  on  left  side,  very  small,  without  distinct  ridge  between  them ; 

'scales  ctenoid;  vertical  fins  confluent.     (  Cynoglossince.) 
p.  V.  of  eyed  side  only  present,  free  from  A.;  no  P.;  no  lateral  line; 
head  without  fringes SYMPHURUS,  239. 

226.  FLATYSOMATICHTHYS  Bleeker.     (Reinhardtius  Gill.) 

OXaruff,  flat ;    <r<u/ia,  body ;  IxQvs,  fish.) 

460.  P.  hippoglossoides  (Walbaum).   GREENLAND  HALIBUT. 
Brown.     Head  4  ;  depth  3.     D.  100.     A.  75.     L.  4  or  more.   Cape 
Cod,  N. 

227.  HIFPOGLOSSTJS  Cuvier.     (Old  name  from  Zmros,  horse  ; 

•yXo><r<ra,  tongue.) 

461.  H.  hippoglossus   (L.).     HALIBUT.    Dark  brown;   eyes 
large,  widely   separated.     Head  3|;   depth  3.     D.    105.     A.    78. 
L.  6  feet  or  more.     In  all  northern  seas,  the  largest  and  most  val- 
uable of  the  flat-fishes,  reaching  400  Ibs.     (Eu.) 

228.  HIPPOGLOSSOIDES  Gottsche. 

462.  H.  platessoides  (Fabricius).     ROUGH  DAB.     Plain  red- 
dish brown ;  eyes  large ;  teeth  uniserial.     Head  3| ;  depth  2£.    D. 


166  TELEOSTEI:  HETEROSOMATA. —  XXL 

80  to  93.     A.  64  to  75.     Lat.  1.  90.     N.  Atl.,  S.  to  N.  Y.     (Eu.} 
(Lat.,  platessa,  the  plaice  ;  etiSoy,  like.) 

229.  PARALICHTHYS  Girard.     (TrapdXX^Xoy,  parallel ; 

ix^vs,  fish.) 
a.  Gill  rakers  5  + 16,  rather  long  and  slender;  D.  85  to  93;  A.  67  to  73. 

463.  P.  dentatus   (L.).     SUMMER   FLOUNDER.     Body  ovate; 
maxillary  half  head ;  canines  large.     Brownish  olive,  always  with 
many  paler  and  darker  spots  and  obscure  ocelli.     Head  3| ;  depth 
2£.     Lat.  1.  95.     L.  2£  feet.     Cape  Cod  to  Fla.,  the  common  floun- 
der N.     (Lat.,  toothed.) 

aa.  Gill  rakers,  few,  shortish,  2  +  8  to  10. 
b.  Body  ovate,  opaque,  the  depth  about  2£  in  length ;  no  definitely  placed 

ocelli. 
c.  D.  rays  85  to  93;  A.  65  to  73;  lat.  1.  about  100. 

464.  P.  lethostigma  Jordan  &  Gilbert.     SOUTHERN  FLOUN- 
DER.    Eyes   small,  well   separated.     Dusky  olive,   nearly  plain. 
Head  3f .  L.  2£.    N.  Y.  to  Texas,  the  common  Flounder  S.    (X^fy, 
forgetting ;  a-riypr),  spot.) 

cc.  D.  rays  75  to  81 ;  A.  59  to  61;  lat.  1.  95. 

465.  P.  albigutta  Jordan  &  Gilbert.    Grayish  brown,  with  many 
roundish  pale  blotches.     L.  18.     Va.  to  Texas,  common  S.    (Lat., 
albus,  white  ;  gutta,  spot.) 

bb.  Body  oblong,  strongly  compressed,  semi-translucent,  side  with  four 
large  oblong  black  ocelli,  each  edged  with  pinkish,  the  anterior  spots 
just  behind  middle  of  body,  the  four  forming  a  trapezoidal  figure. 

466.  P.   oblongus   (Mitchill).      FOUR -SPOTTED    FLOUNDER. 
Mouth  large.     Head  3f;  depth  2J.     D.  77.     A.  62.     Lat.  1.  93. 
L.  18.     Cape  Cod  to  N.  J.     (Another  "4-spotted  flounder,"  A  n- 
cylopsetta  quadrocellata  Gill,  with  deep  body  and  very  rough  scales  ; 
probably  ranges  N.  to  Va.) 

230.  PLETJRONECTES  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     TURBOTS. 
(Rhombus  Cuvier.)     (rrXeupoi/,  side;  1/17*777$,  swimmer.) 

a.  Scales  cycloid,  well-developed;  no  bony  tubercles.    (Bothus  Rafinesque.) 

467.  P.  maculatus  Mitchill.     WINDOW  PANE.     First  rays  of 
D.  much  exserted ;  body  much  compressed,  translucent.     Grayish 
brown,  profusely  spotted  and  mottled  with  dark  brown.     Head  3f ; 
depth  If.     D.  65.     A.  52.     Lat.  1.  100.     L.  18.     Cape  Cod  to  S.  C., 
a  small  and  valueless  representative  of  the  great  turbot  of  Europe 
(P.  rhombus  L.). 

231.  PLATOPHRYS  Swainson.     (jrXarvs,  broad ; 
o^pv's-,  eye-brow.) 

468.  P.   ocellatus   (Agassiz.)     Maxillary  3|  in  head.     Light 
grayish,  with  small  round  spots  of  darker  gray,  and  with  lighter 


PLEURONECTID^E.  —  LXXXIX.  167 

rings  enclosing  areas  of  ground  color;  two  black  blotches  along 
lateral  line;  fins  spotted;  no  blue  markings.  Head  4;  depth  1^. 
D.  85  to  90.  A.  65.  Lat.  1.  72  to  78.  L.  12.  Variable.  L.  I.  to 
Brazil,  abundant  S.  (PI.  nebularis  Jordan  &  Gilbert.) 

232.  CITHARICHTHYS  Bleeker.     (Citharus,  an  allied  genus; 

ixtivs,  fish.) 

469.  C.   spilopterus   Giinther.      Maxillary   2£  in  head;    eye 
small,  5  to  6  ;  snout  short,  forming  an  angle  with  preorbital;  teeth 
small,  those  in  front  larger.     Head  3£;  depth  2£.     D.  75  to  80. 
A.  58  to  61.     Lat.  1.  43  to  45.     L.  6.     N.  J.  to  Brazil  and  Panama, 
a  little  flounder  very  common  on  sandy  shores.     (Related  species 
occur  in  deeper  water,  in  the  Gulf  stream.)     (o-TrlAos,  spot ;  irrepov, 
fin.) 

233.  ETROPUS  Jordan  &  Gilbert,    (qrpoi/,  abdomen ;  TTOVS,  foot.) 
a.  Body  very  deep,  the  depth  more  than  half  length. 

470.  E.  crossotus  Jordan  &  Gilbert.     Maxillary  4  in  head; 
eye  3|-.     Olive-brown  with  darker  blotches;    fins  finely  speckled. 
Head  4£;  depth  If  to  2.     D.  76  to  85.     A.  56  to  67.     Lat.  1.  42  to 
48.      L.  5.     Warm   seas,  N.  to   Va.;    may  vary  into  the  next. 
(/fpoo-o-ajToy,  fringed.) 

an.  Body  more  elongate,  the  depth  less  than  half  length. 

471.  E.  microstomus  (Gill).     Maxillary  4£  ;  eye  3  to  3£  in 
head.     Grayish,  with  small  dark  blotches  ;  two  dark  spots  at  base 
C.  ;  fins  specked.     Head  4  ;  depth  2£.     D.  77  to  78.     A.  57  to  61. 
Lat.  1.  38  to  41.     N.  J.  to  Fla.,  scarce.     (/uicpos,  small  ;  <rro/ia, 
mouth.) 

234.  LIMANDA  Gottsche.     (Old  name.) 

472.  L.  ferruginea  (Storer).      RUSTY  DAB.      Teeth  conical, 
close-set,  11  -{-  30  in  lower  jaw;  snout  abruptly  projecting,  leaving 
an  angle  at  its  base;  interocular  ridge  high  and  narrow,  prolonged 
and  rugose  above  opercle.     Brownish,  with  rusty  spots ;  blind  side 
yellow.     Head  4  ;  depth  2J.     D.  85.     A.  62.     Lat.  1.  100.     L.  2 
feet.     N.  Y.  to  Labrador.     (Lat.,  rusty.) 

235.  PSEUDOPLEURONECTES  Bleeker.     (^euSfc,  false; 
Pleuronectes.) 

473.  P.  americanua  (Walbaum).    WINTER  FLOUNDER.    FLAT- 
FISH.    Body  elliptical ;  interorbital  space  broad,  convex,  scaly;  a 
low  ridge  above  opercle.     Dark  rusty  brown,  obscurely  mottled; 
fins  plain.     Head  4;  depth  2J.    D.  65.    A.  48.    Lat.  1.  83.    L.  18. 
Labrador  to  Chesapeake  Bay,  common. 

236.  LIOPSETTA  Gill.     (XeZos,  smooth;  ^erra,  flounder.) 

474.  L.  glacialis  (Pallas).     EEL-BACK  FLOUNDER.     A  coarse 
rugose  ridge  above  opercle ;  scales  in  males  ctenoid  on  both  sides, 


168  TELEOSTEI:  PLECTOGNATHI.  —  XXII. 

in  9  mostly  cycloid.  Dark  gray,  mottled  with  darker  ;  fins 
spotted.  Head  3£;  depth  2.  D.  55.  A.  40.  Lat.  1.  70.  L.  12. 
Arctic  regions,  S.  to  Cape  Cod,  our  form  or  variety  (L.  pntnami 
Gill)  common  from  Cape  Ann  to  Nova  Scotia;  the  original  glacialis 
in  Alaska.  (Pleuronectes  gldber  Storer.) 

237.  GLYFTOCEFHALUS  Gottsche.     (yXvTrros,  sculptured; 
Kf<f)a\ri,  head.) 

475.  G.  cynoglossus  (L.).     CRAIG-FLUKE.     P.  short,  not  half 
head ;  eyes  large,  3  in  head.     Grayish  brown,  fins  spotted.     Head 
5;  depth  2f.     D.  101  to  112.     A.  87  to  99.     Lat.  1.  125.     L.  12. 
N.  Atl.,  S.  to  Cape  Cod.     (Eu.)     (An  old  name,  from  KVUV,  dog; 
y\S><r<ra,  tongue.) 

238.  ACHIRUS  Lacepede.     (afceip,  without  hands.) 
a.  Pectorals  wanting.     (Achirus.) 

476.  A.  fasciatus  Lacepede.    SOLE.    HOG-CHOKER.    Eyed  side 
without  black  hair-like  cilia.     Olive-brown,  mottled  and  with  about 
8  dark  vertical  streaks;  vertical  fins  with  dark  spots  and  clouds; 
blind  side  usually  with  round  dark  spots.     Head  4  ;    depth  1£. 
D.  50  to  55.     A.  37  to  46.     Lat.  1.  66  to  75.     L.  8.     Cape  Cod  to 
Texas,  abundant,  ascending  rivers.     (Lat.,  banded.) 

239.  SYMPHURUS  Rafinesque.    (Plagusia  Cuvier ;  Aphoristia 
Kaup.)     ((rufKjta'o),  to  grow  together;  ovpa,  tail.) 

477.  S.  plagiusa  (L.).     TONGUE-FISH.     Body  broadly  lanceo- 
late.   Brown,  with  faint  darker  longitudinal  streaks  and  with  black 
cross-bars;  C.  similarly  colored,  never  black.     Head  5;  depth  3  to 
3£.     D.  86  to  95.     A.  75  to  80.     Lat.  1.  85  to  93.     L.  5.     Va.  to 
Texas,  common  S.     (ir\dytos,  oblique.) 

ORDER  XXII.   PLECTOGNATHI.   (THE  PLECTOGNATHS.) 

Premaxillaries  co-ossified  with  the  maxillaries,  and  dentary  with 
the  articular ;  post-temporal  undivided,  grown  fast  to  the  skull ; 
interopercle  rod-like ;  upper  pharyngeals  forming  vertical  trans- 
verse laminae ;  skin  naked  or  variously  covered  with  rough  scales, 
shields  or  spines.  Vertebrae  usually  in  less  than  normal  number, 
15  to  30.  Ventral  fins  reduced  or  wanting. 

This  group  is  a  modified  offshoot  of  the  suborder  Epelasmia  of 
Acanihopteri.  The  relations  of  the  Balistidce  with  the  Acanthuridce 
of  the  latter  group  are  very  close.  (TT^CKTOS,  joined;  yvdtios,  jaw.) 

FAMILY  XC.    BALISTID^B-    (THE  TRIGGER-FISHES.) 

Body  ovate,  compressed,  covered  with  scales  of  varying  struc- 
ture. Mouth  small,  terminal,  low;  jaws  short,  each  with  one  or 
more  series  of  separate  incisor-like  teeth ;  eye  very  high.  Gill 


TETR  AODONTID.E.  —  XCI.  169 

openings  small,  slit-like.  Dorsals  separate,  the  first  of  1  to  3 
spines  ;  2d  D.  and  A.  long;  V.  wanting  ;  pubic  bone  long,  movable, 
with  sometimes  a  spine  at  its  end.  Genera  8 ;  species  100 ;  car- 
nivorous fishes  of  the  warm  seas. 

a.  Dorsal  spines  3;  body  covered  with  thick,  firm  scales ;  pelvis  with  a  blunt 

spine BALISTES,  240. 

aa.  Dorsal  spine  single,  or  followed  by  a  rudiment;  skin  with  minute  rough 

shagreen-like  scales. 
b.  Pubic  spine  present;  gill-slit  short,  nearly  vertical.    A.  25  to  35. 

MONACANTHUS,  241. 

bb.  Pubic  spine  wanting ;  gill-slit  long,  oblique.    A.  36  to  50. 

ALUTERA,  242. 

240.  BALISTES  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.      (/3aX£,  to  shoot;  from  the 
trigger-like  2d  spine  of  D.) 

a.  A  groove  before  eye;  larger  plates  behind  gill  opening;  teeth  white;  no 
spines  on  tail.     (Balisles.) 

478.  B.  carolinensis  Gmelin.    LEATHER-JACKET.     TRIGGER- 
FISH.     Soft  D.  high;  C.  lobes  elongate  in  adult.     Brownish;  young 
spotted  with  darker;  2d  D.  and  A.  with  interrupted  brown  streaks ; 
C.  mottled  ;   scales  on  head  similar  to  those  on  body.     Head  3 ; 
depth  If     D.  Ill -27.     A.  25.     Lat.  1.  51  to  62.     L.  18.     Warm 
seas,  rarely  N.  to  Cape  Cod.     (En.) 

241.  MONACANTHUS  Cuvier.     (fiovos,  one ;  atavQa,  spine.) 

a.  Pubic  spine  movable ;  ventral  flap  moderate,  not  extending  beyond  it ; 
dorsal  spine  with  retrorse  barbs. 

479.  M.  hispidus  (L.).    FOOL-FISH.    FILE-FISH.    No  recurved 
spines  on  tail  ;   first  soft  ray  of  D.  sometimes  filamentous.     Dull 
greenish,  mottled  with  darker.     Head  3f  ;  depth  If.      D.  1-32. 
A.  32.     L.  6.     Cape  Cod  to  Cuba,  common.     (Lat.,  rough.) 

242.  ALUTERA  Cuvier.     (?  oXovros,  unwashed.) 

480.  A.   schoepfi    (Walbaum).      Dull -greenish,  marbled  with 
darker;   D.  spine  slender,  not  barbed  ;   C.  long  in  young,  shorter 
with  age.     Head  3f;   depth  2J.     D.  I,  36.     A.  38.     L.  18.     Cape 
Cod  to  Texas.     (To  Johann  David  Schbpf,  a  Hessian  surgeon  in 
the  Revolutionary  War,  and  an  excellent  naturalist.) 

FAMILY  XCI.   TBTBAODONTID^E.    (THE  SWELL-FISHES.) 

Body  oblong,  little  compressed,  the  skin  naked  and  usually 
prickly;  stomach  capable  of  great  inflation;  teeth  in  each  jaw  con- 
fluent into  two,  which  form  a  sort  of  beak ;  no  fin  spines ;  D.  oppo- 
site A.  ;  C.  distinct  ;  V.  wanting  ;  P.  short  ;  pelvic  bone  moderate. 
Gill  openings  small;  air-bladder  present.  Genera  7;  species  70,  in 
warm  seas.  They  are  noted  for  their  power  of  swallowing  air,  by 


170  TELEOSTEI :  PLECTOGNATHI.  --  XXII. 

wliich  the  stomach  may  be  greatly  inflated  and  the  fish  float  belly 
upward  out  of  reach  of  its  pursuers. 

a.  Back  not  carinated,  skin  without  scutes ;  nostril  on  each  side  with  two 

openings. 

b.  D.  and  A.  falcate,  of  12  to  16  rays;  C.  lunate;  vertebrae  20;  nostrils  ses- 
sile; mucous  tubes  on  head  very  conspicuous.      LAGOCEPHALUS,  243. 
bb.  D.  and  A.  short,  rounded,  of  6  to  8  rays;   C.  rounded;  vertebrae  18; 
nostrils  at  tip  of  a  hollow  papilla ;  raucous  tubes  not  conspicuous. 

ORBIDUS,  244. 

243    LAGOCEPHALUS  Swainson.      (Xayo>s,  hare ;  Kf^aXrj, 
head.) 

481.  L.  laevigatus  (L.).     RABBIT  FISH.     SMOOTH  PUFFER. 
TAMBOR.   Olive  green ;  silver-white  below ;  belly  with  large  3-rooted 
spines;  skin  elsewhere  smooth.    Head  3J;  depth  4^.    D.  14.    A.  12 
L.  2  feet  or  more.     Cape  Cod  to  Brazil.     (Lat.,  made  smooth.) 

244.  ORBIDUS  Rafinesque.     (Lat.,  orbis,  a  sphere.) 

482.  O.  maculatus  (Bloch  &  Schneider).     COMMON  PUFFER. 
SWELL-FISH.  SWELL-TOAD.   Sides  of  head  and  body  always  prickly, 
as  is  back  from  upper  lip  to  D. ;  prickles  all  similar,  small,  close-set, 
3-rooted,  never  obsolete.     Dark  olive  above,  marbled  and  dotted 
with  black  ;   black  blotches  on  side  forming  short  cross-bars  ;    C. 
nearly  plain.    Head  2|;  depth  3.    D.  7.    A.  6.    C.  7.    L.  12.    Cape 
Cod  to  S.  C.,  very  common.     (Tetraodon  turgidus  Mitchill.) 

FAMILY  XCII.  DIODONITIDu3E.  (THE  PORCUPINE-FISHES.) 

Fishes  similar  to  the  Tetraodontidce,  but  having  the  teeth  of  each 
jaw  grown  into  one ;  body  with  rooted  spines ;  stomach  less  ex- 
tensively inflatable  than  in  the  Tetraodontidce.  Genera  3 ;  species 
about  10,  in  warm  seas.  (Si's,  two;  o8o>i>,  tooth.) 

a.  Spines  robust,  all  fixed,  and  3-rooted  (some  of  them  rarely  4-rooted);  nasal 
tube  simple  with  two  lateral  openings.       .     .    CHILOMYCTEKUS,  245. 

245.  CHILOMYCTERUS  (Bibron)  Kaup.     (x«Aos,  lip; 
pvKTr)p,  nostril.) 

483.  C.  schcepfi  (Walbaum).     BURR-FISH.    SWELL-TOAD.     A 
ridge  above  eye.     Greenish,  with  series  of  parallel  blackish  stripes 
covering  most  of  the  body  above  ;  an  ocellated  black  spot  above  P. ; 
a  larger  one  behind  it ;   one  at  base  of  D.  ;   a  smaller  one  below  it ; 
fins  unspotted.     Head  2|;  depth  3.     D.  12.     A.  10.     L.  6.     Cape 
Cod  to  Texas;  very  abundant  S.     (C.  geometricus  Bloch  &  Schnei- 
der.)     (Farther  S.  occurs  Diodon  Tiystrix  L.,  larger,  with  longer 
spines,  of  which  some  are  2-rooted  and   movable.)     (To  Johann 
David  Schopf,  a  Hessian  surgeon  in  the  Revolutionary  War.) 


MOLID^E.  —  XCIII. 

FAMILY  XCIII.    MOLIDuE.     (THE  HEAD-FISHES.] 

Body  deep,  compressed,  truncate  behind,  so  that  there  is  no  cau- 
dal peduncle;  skin  scaleless,  rough.  Mouth  very  small,  the  teeth 
united,  without  median  suture  as  in  Diodontidce.  D.  and  A.  of 
soft  rays  only,  confluent  around  tail,  elevated  in  front.  V.  wanting ; 
pelvic  bone  small ;  belly  not  inflatable.  Three  species,  placed  in  as 
many  genera ;  large  fishes  of  the  open  sea,  consisting  apparently  of 
a  huge  fish-head  to  which  small  fins  are  attached, 
a.  Body  ovate,  not  twice  as  long  as  deep;  skin  thick,  leathery,  without  hexa- 
gonal plates MOLA,  246. 

246.  MOLA  Cuvier.     (Orthagoriscus  Bloch  &  Schneider.)     (Lat., 

millstone.) 

484.  M.  mola  (L.).  SUN-FISH.  HEAD-FISH.  MOLA.  Dark 
gray,  silver-gray  below ;  a  dusky  bar  along  bases  of  vertical  fins. 
D.  and  A.  very  high ;  form  varying  greatly  with  age ;  a  hump  or 
snout  above  mouth  in  old  specimens.  Head  3  ;  depth  1^  (in  adult). 
D.  17.  A.  16.  L.  4  feet  or  more.  Pelagic,  N.  to  Cape  Cod;  not 
rare,  sometimes  weighing  500  Ibs.  (Eu.) 

ORDER  XXIII.    PEDICULATI.     (THE  PEDICULATE 
FISHES.) 

Carpal  bones  reduced  in  number  and  notably  elongate,  forming  a 
kind  of  arm  which  supports  the  broad  pectorals.  Gill  openings  re- 
duced to  a  small  pore  in  or  near  the  axil,  behind  the  pectoral  fins  ; 
V.  jugular,  if  present;  first  vertebra  united  with  skull;  post-tempo- 
ral broad,  flat,  simple;  pharyngeals  reduced  in  number;  spinous  D. 
often  reduced  to  isolated  tentacles.  No  scales. 

This  singular  group  is  probably  a  modified  off-shoot  of  the  Haplo- 
doci  (Batrachidce)  or  of  some  similar  form.  It  may  fairly  be  placed 
at  the  end  of  the  fish-series,  as  having  gone  farther  in  its  diver- 
gence from  the  original  fish-stock  than  any  other  of  the  groups  called 
"  orders  "  among  fishes.  It  is  not  however  in  any  proper  sense  the 
"  highest  "  of  the  fishes,  for  some  of  its  peculiarities  may  be  due  to 
degradation.  Still  less  is  it  the  order  most  closely  related  to  the 
higher  vertebrates.  Most  of  the  Pediculati  belong  to  the  tropics 
or  to  the  deep  sea.  (Lat.,  pediculatus,  provided  with  a  little  foot  or 
peduncle.) 

FAMILY  XCIV.    MALTHHX3S.     (THE  BAT-FISHES.) 

Head  broad  and  depressed,  the  snout  elevated,  the  trunk  short 
and  slender.  Mouth  small,  inferior ;  giU  opening  very  small,  above 
and  behind  axil  of  P.  Body  and  head  covered  with  bony  tubercles 
or  spines.  Spinous  D.  a  single  tentacle  on  snout,  retractile  into  a 
cavity  beneath  a  long  process  on  snout.  Genera  3;  species  10,  all 
American. 


172  TELEOSTEI:   PEDICULATI.  —  XXIII. 

247.    MALTHE    Cuvier.      (/xaX0r/,  a  name  of  some   soft-bodied 

fish.) 

485.  M.  vespertilio    (L.).    BAT-FISH.    DIABLO.     Dark  gray, 
reddish  below ;  forehead  produced  in  a  long  rough  process  of  varia- 
ble length.     D.  I,  4.     A.  4.     L.  6.     Warm  seas,  rarely  N.     (Lat., 
bat.) 

FAMILY  XCV.    ANTBNNARIID^.     (THE  FROG-FISHES.) 

Head  and  body  somewhat  compressed,  the  mouth  nearly  vertical, 
the  chin  projecting;  gill  openings  small,  pore-like,  in  lower  axil  of 
P.  Spinous  D.  of  1  to  3  isolated  tentacles.  Genera  5;  species 
40,  living  in  floating  seaweed,  etc.,  in  warm  seas.  (Lat.,  antenna,  a 
feeler.) 

a.  Head  compressed;  dorsal  spines  3;  skin  smooth  with  many  fleshy  tags;  V. 
long PTEROPHRYNE,  248. 

248.  PTEROPHRYNE  Gill.     (TrrepoV,  wing;  Qpvvrj,  toad.) 

486.  P.  histrio  (L.).     MOUSE-FISH.    Yellowish,  much  marbled; 
wrist  slender.    Head  2£;  depth  If    D.  111-14.    A.  7.    V.  5.    L.  5. 
Warm  seas,  occasional  N.     (Lat.,  stage-player.) 

FAMILY  XCVI.    LOPHIID-&J.     (THE  ANGLERS.) 

Head  wide,  depressed,  very  large;  body  contracted,  tapering, 
scarcely  longer  than  head ;  mouth  enormously  wide,  with  a  stomach 
proportionate ;  teeth  very  strong,  unequal,  some  of  them  long,  sharp 
canines  and  most  of  them  depressible ;  strong  teeth  on  vomer  and 
palatines.  Gill  openings  large,  in  lower  axil  of  P.  Skin  smooth, 
with  many  dermal  flaps.  Spinous  D.  of  3  isolated  tentacles,  and  3 
spines  joined  by  membrane,  the  first  spine  enlarged  at  tip  and  ex- 
tending over  the  mouth,  said  to  serve  as  a  bait  for  smaller  fishes. 
One  genus  with  3  or  more  species,  large  fishes  of  the  cool  seas, 
remarkable  for  voracity. 

249.  LOPHIUS  (Artedi)  Linnaeus.     (Old  name  from  Xo$or, 
crest.) 

487.  L.  piscatorius  L.     GOOSE-FISH.     ANGLER.     FISHIXG- 
FROG.    ALL-MOUTH.    BELLOWS-FISH.    Brownish,  mottled ;  mouth 
behind  tongue,  unspotted.    D.  Ill -III,  10.     A.  9.     V.  I,  5.      L.  3 
feet  or  more.     N.  Atl.,  S.  to  Cape  Lookout,  common  N.     The  eggs 
of  this  fish  are  remarkable,  in  ribbon-like  bands,  pink  in  color,  30  to 
40  feet  long  and  a  foot  in  width.      These  float  near  the  surface  in 
summer.     (Lat.,  fishing.) 

With  this  monstrous  creature,  unexcelled  for  pure  ugliness  in 
the  class  to  which  it  belongs,  we  may  close  the  long  series  of 
fishes. 


LOPHIID.E.  —  XCVI.  173 

Next  come  the  BatracJiians,  animals  bearing  close  relations  to 
the  "  central  stem  "  of  the  fishes,  now  represented  by  the  Dipnoi. 
They  are  decidedly  fish-like  in  their  early  conditions,  but  this  stage 
is  ultimately  outgrown.  "  The  undivided  cartilaginous  coracoid  of 
Polyterus  (a  Dipnoan)  has  a  tubercle  articulating  with  diverging 
rods;  in  the  one  we  have  the  rudiment  of  the  humerus,  in  the 
other  the  representatives  of  the  ulna  and  radius,  while  the  undif- 
ferentiated  cartilage  between  the  diverging  rods  is  material  for  the 
carpal  bones,  and  in  bones  radiating  from  that  cartilage  are  the 
homologues  of  the  metacarpals.  The  attempts  of  a  primitive  ani- 
mal of  such  a  type  to  travel  on  land  might  develop  the  fore-limb, 
and  a  hind  one  would  follow  in  sympathy  with  the  other.  Then  we 
would  have  the  first  of  the  quadruped  vertebrates,"  the  Batrachians. 
(GUI.) 

NOTE.  —  Page  47.  The  RED-HORSE  or  WHITE  SUCKER  of  the  Chesa- 
peake region  has  the  anterior  rays  of  the  dorsal  elevated,  the  outline  of 
the  fin  decidedly  concave.  It  is  perhaps  a  distinct  species  from  the 
common  Eed-Horse  of  the  West  and  South  desciibed  in  the  text.  It 
may  stand  as  81.  Moxostoma  macrolepidotum  (Le  Sueur),  and  the  Western 
form,  N.  Y.  to  Dak.  and  Ga.,  as  81  (b).  M.  duqiwmei  (Le  Sueur). 


174  BATRACHIA. 


CLASS  F.    BATRACHIA.     (THE  BATRACHIANS.) 

Cold-blooded  vertebrates,  intermediate  between  the  fishes  and  the 
reptiles.  They  differ  from  the  fishes  chiefly  in  the  absence  of  rayed 
fins,  the  limbs  being  usually  developed  and  functional  with  the 
skeletal  elements  of  the  limbs  of  reptiles,  and  in  the  reduction  or 
absence  of  the  various  bones  of  the  branchial,  opercular  and  sus- 
pensory systems. 

The  Batrachians  undergo  a  more  or  less  complete  metamorphosis ; 
the  young  ("  tadpoles  ")  being  fish-like  and  more  or  less  aquatic, 
breathing  by  means  of  external  gills.  These  differ  from  the  gills 
of  fishes  in  standing  on  fleshy  processes  of  the  branchial  bones  and 
not  on  the  bones  themselves.  In  the  tadpole,  the  tail  is  provided 
with  a  more  or  less  distinct  fin-like  membrane,  which  usually  dis- 
appears with  age.  Later  in  life,  lungs  are  developed,  and  in  most 
cases  the  gills  disappear.  Skin  mostly  naked  and  moist,  used  to 
some  extent  as  an  organ  of  respiration.  Heart  with  two  auricles 
and  a  single  ventricle. 

Reproduction  by  means  of  eggs  which  are  of  comparatively 
small  size,  without  hard  shell.  These  are  deposited  in  water  or  in 
damp  places.  In  one  salamander  the  young  are  born  alive.  Pro- 
fessor Cope  recognizes  nine  orders  of  Batrachians,  four  of  these 
being  extinct.  (ftaTpaxos,  frog.) 

Orders  of  Batrachia. 

a.  Body  lengthened,  with  a  distinct  tail  throughout  life;  hind  limbs,  if  present, 

not  especially  enlarged. 

b.  External  gills  and  gill-clefts  persistent  throughout  life,  the  gills  3  on 
each  side;  no  eyelids;  vertebrae  amphicoelian ;  maxillary  small  or 
wanting. 

c.  Body  eel-shaped,  without  hind  legs;  teeth  on  vomer;  floor  of  mouth 
rough;  jaws  with  horny  sheath.  .     .     .    TKACHYSTOMATA,  XXIV. 
cc.  Body  salamander-shaped,  the  hind  limbs  present;  jaws  with  teeth. 

PROTEIDA,  XXV. 

bb.  External  gills  normally  disappearing  in  adult  life ;  limbs  4  (or  want- 
ing, present  in  all  our  species);  jaws  with  teeth;  maxillaries  and 

palatines  present UKODELA,  XXVI. 

aa.  Body  short,  depressed;  tail  disappearing  with  age;  limbs  4,  the  posterior 
much  enlarged SALIENTIA,  XXVII. 


SIRENID.E.  —  XCVII.  175 

ORDER  XXIV.     TKACHYSTOMATA. 

This  order  contains  a  single  family,     (rpaxus,  rough  ;  a-rc/ua,  mouth.) 

FAMILY  XCVII.     SIRENID^J.     (THE  SIRENS.) 

Body  elongated,  eel-like,  with  no  posterior  limbs,  not  even  a 
vestige  of  pelvis;  head  flattened;  snout  obtuse;  mouth  narrow, 
jaws  with  horny  sheaths;  floor  of  mouth  with  teeth  or  asperities; 
vomer  with  two  large  patches ;  eye  very  small ;  lips  thick ;  tail  com- 
pressed, finned.  Genera  2;  species  2.  Pseudobranchus  striatus 
(LeC.),  of  Georgia,  a  small  species  with  3  toes  and  with  thickened, 
functionless  gills,  and  the  following  :  — 

a.  Gills  large,  bushy,  in  function  throughout  life ;  toes  4  ;  spiracles  3. 

SIREN,  250. 
250.  SIREN  Linnaeus. 

488.  S.   lacertina   L.     MUD   EEL.     Tail   shorter  than  body, 
pointed  at  tip.     Blackish,  sometimes   dotted.     L.  36.     Lowland 
streams  and   swamps,  N".   Ind.  to  N.  C.  and   S.     (Lat.,  like  a 
lizard.) 

ORDER  XXV.    PROTEIDA. 

This  order  contains  a  single  family. 

FAMILY  XCVIII.    PROTBID^E.     (THE  MUD  PUPPIES.) 

Salamanders  provided  with  bushy  external  gills,  and  having  the 
branchial  clefts  remaining  open  through  life;  teeth  well  developed; 
limbs  4.  Genera  2 ;  species  3  or  4.  Proteus  inhabits  caves  in  S. 
W.  Austria,  and  Necturus  the  fresh  waters  of  the  U.  S.  Proteus 
is  blind,  nearly  colorless,  and  has  the  toes  3-2. 

a.  Toes  4-4 ;  tongue  large,  free  in  front ;  vomerine  teeth  in  one  strong  series ; 
eyes  small,  not  covered NECTURUS,  251. 

251.  NECTURUS  Rafinesque   (1819).     (Menobranchus  Ilarlan, 
1825.)     (vrjKTfjs,  a  swimmer;  ovpa,  tail.) 

489.  N.  maculatus  Rafinesque.     MUD  PUPPY.     (N.)    WATER 
DOG.     (S.)     Brown,  more  or  less  spotted;  young  with  traces  of  a 
lateral  band  ;  gills  large  and  bushy,  bright  red,  forming  3  tufts  on 
each  side ;  a  strong  fold  across  throat ;  head  broad,  depressed ;  tail 
much  compressed.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  N.  and  W.  of  the  Alleghanies, 
abundant  in  the  Great  Lake  Region.     L.  24.     (Lat.,  spotted.) 

ORDER  XXVI.     URODELA.     (THE  SALAMANDERS.) 

Body  naked,  elongate,  subterete;  both  jaws  with  teeth;  4  limbs 
present  (wanting  in  the  tropical  family  Caeciliidae) ;  tail  persistent 
through  life;  no  external  gills  in  the  normally  developed  adult. 


176         BATRACHIA:  URODELA.  —  XXVI. 

This  group  is  divided  by  Cope  into  7  families,  all  but  one  of  these 
(Salamandridce)  being  represented  in  our  fauna.  These  families 
are  based  chiefly  on  technical  characters,  most  of  which  can  be 
ascertained  only  by  a  careful  study  of  the  osteology.  "  It  may  be 
stated  as  characteristic  of  the  Batrachia  in  general  that  their  char- 
acters cannot  be  determined  without  a  study  of  the  skeleton." 
(Cope.)  (ovpa,  tail;  877X0*,  visible.) 

Families  of  Urodela. 

a.  Side  of  neck  with  a  spiracle  or  rounded  opening;  no  eyelids;  vertebrae 
amphiccelian ;  teeth  on  front  or  outer  edge  of  palatines. 

b.  Limbs  rudimentary ;  body  eel-shaped AMPHIUMID^E,  99. 

bb.  Limbs  well-developed ;  body  not  eel-shaped.  CRYPTOBRANCHID^B,  100. 
aa.  Side  of  neck  without  spiracle  in  the  adult;  limbs  well  developed;  eyelids 

present;  teeth  on  posterior  or  inner  edge  of  palatines. 
c.  Palatine  teeth  in  a  transverse  (or  posteriorly  converging)  series,  in- 
serted on  posterior  portion  of  vomer. 
d.  Vertebrae  amphicoelian  (double  concave). 

e.  Parasphenoid  (behind  vomer)  without  teeth;  carpus  and  tarsus 
ossified ;  tongue  (in  our  species)  large,  thick,  with  radiating  folds, 
its  margin  little  free ;  digits  4-5.      .      AMBLYSTOMATID^E,  101. 
ee.  Parasphenoid  with  teeth ;  tongue  small,  and  largely  free. 

PLETHODONTIDJE,  102. 

dd.  Vertebrae  opisthocoelian  (concave  behind  onl_v) ;  teeth  on  parasphe- 
noid;  palatine  teeth  often  wanting;  tongue  moderate,  largely 

free  ;  toes  5 DESMOGNATHID^E,  103. 

cc.  Palatine  teeth  in  two  longitudinal  series  diverging  behind,  inserted  on 
inner  margin  of  two  palatine  processes ;  parasphenoid  toothless ; 
vertebrae  opisthocoelian ;  skull  with  a  bony  post-fronto-squamosal 
arch ;  tongue  small,  laterally  free.  .  .  .  PLEURODELID^E,  104. 

f 
FAMILY  XCIX.    AMPHIUMID^l.    (THE  CONGO  SNAKES.) 

Body  elongate,  eel- shaped ;  limbs  rudimentary,  with  2  or  3  toes 
each ;  a  spiracle  on  each  side  of  neck ;  tongue  indistinct,  wholly 
adherent;  a  strong  series  of  vomerine  teeth  parallel  with  the  teeth 
in  jaws.  Tail  short,  compressed.  One  species,  inhabiting  the 
ditches  and  streams  of  the  S.  TJ.  S. 

252.  AMPHIUMA  Garden.     (Name  unexplained.) 

490.  A.  means  Garden.  CONGO  SNAKE.  Blackish.  L.  3  feet. 
Ark.  to  N.  C.  and  S.  (Lat.,  swift-moving.) 

FAMILY  C.     CBYPTOBRANCHID^B.     (THE  GIANT 
SALAMANDERS.) 

Body  robust,  with  well-developed  limbs  ;  an  orifice  on  each  side 
of  neck  usually  persistent  throughout  life  ;  tongue  covering  floor  of 
mouth;  vomerine  teeth  strong;  nostrils  very  small;  no  external 


AMBLYSTOMATID  &.  —  CI. 

gills;  toes  4-5.     Aquatic.     Genera  2,  species  2.     Megalobatrachus 

maximus  of  Japan  and  the  following. 

a.  Spiracles  persistent;  gill  arches  4  ......    CRYPTOBRANCHUS,  253. 

253.  CRYPTOBRANCHUS  Leuckart.     (Kpwro'y,  concealed  ; 

Ppdyxos,  gill.) 

491.  C.  alleghaniensis  (Daudin).  HELLBENDER.  Blackish; 
side  of  body  with  a  thick  fold  of  skin.  L.  24.  Ohio  Valley  and 
S.,  a  very  unprepossessing  but  harmless  creature.  Var.  fuscus 
Holbr.,  brown,  paler  below,  occurs  in  Tenn.  R. 

FAMILY  CT.    AMBLYSTOMATID.ZE.    (THE  BLUNT-NOSED 
SALAMANDERS.) 

Vertebrae  amphicoelian  ;  carpus  and  tarsus  ossified  ;  toes  4-5, 
not  webbed  ;  tongue  thick  ;  a  band  of  teeth  across  posterior  part 
of  vomer;  no  teeth  on  parasphenoids  (behind  vomer).  Genera  6  ; 
species  about  25,  mostly  North  American.  The  larvae  of  Amblystoma 
often  reach  a  large  size  before  the  gills  disappear,  and  sometimes 
breed  while  in  this  condition.  These  were  formerly  considered 
as  forming  a  separate  genus,  Siredon,  supposed  to  be  allied  to  Nee- 
turns. 

a.  Tongue  sub-circular,  with  radiating  folds,  its  lateral  borders  free  ;  palatine 
teeth  in  a  long  series,  continuous  or  interrupted  ;  tail  compressed  ;  mucous 
pores  before  eye. 

b.  Folds  of  tongue  radiating  from  behind;  palatine  teeth  extending  laterally 
behind  inner  nares  ...........    AMBLYSTOMA,  254. 

bb.  Folds  of  tongue  radiating  from  the  median  longitudinal  furrow;  series 
of  palatine  teeth  not  extending  laterally  behind  inner  nares. 

255. 


254.  AMBLYSTOMA  Tschudi.    (dfi/3Xus,  blunt  ;  oro/ia,  mouth.) 

a.  Costal  grooves  10. 

492.  A.  talpoideum  (Holbrook).     Blackish  brown,  with  gray, 
lichen-like  markings  ;   tail  short,  compressed,  2^  in  length  ;  head 
very  broad  ;  body  short  and  squat.     Southern,  N,  to  S.  111.     (Lat., 
like  a  mole,  talpa.} 

aa.  Costal  grooves  usually  11. 
b.  Sole  with  one  indistinct  tubercle,  or  none. 
c.  Body  with  gray  cross-shades. 

493.  A.  opacum  (Gravenhorst).     Black  above,  with  about  14 
bluish  gray  bars;  belly  dark  blue  ;  no  dorsal  furrow;  no  enlarged 
pores  on  the  head;    tail  2^  in  total  length;   body  stout.     L.  3-^. 
Penn.  to  Wis.,  and  S. 

cc.  Body  with  yellowish  spots. 

1  The  essential  character  of  this  genus  lies  in  the  osteology  of  the  tongue  and  hyoid 
bones,  and  cannot  easily  be  explained  without  figures.    See  Cope,  Amer.  Nat.,  1887. 

12 


178      BATRACHIA:  URODELA. —  xxvi. 

494.  A.  punctatum  (L.).      SPOTTED   SALAMANDER.      Black 
above  with  a  series  of  round  yellow  spots  on  each  side  of  the  back; 
body  broad,   depressed  and    swollen ;    skin   punctate   with   small 
pores  from  which  exudes  a  milky  fluid ;  two  or  three  clusters  of 
enlarged  pores  on  head  ;  a  strong  dorsal  groove ;  tail  2^  in  length ; 
costal  grooves  sometimes  10;  large.     L.  6.     Nova  Scotia  to  Nebr. 
and  S.,  common. 

495.  A.  conspersum  Cope.     Lead  colored,  with  one  or  two 
series  of  small  yellowish  spots  along  sides  ;  no  dorsal  groove  ;  skin 
smooth;  body  slender;  tail  shorter  than  head  and  body;  tail  2£  in 
length;  small.     Penn.  to  Ga.     (Lat.,  sprinkled.) 

bb.  Sole  with  two  distinct  tubercles. 

496.  A.  bicolor  (Hallowell).     Olive  brown,  yellowish  below,  the 
yellow  rising  in  blotches  on  the  sides ;  a  few  ill-defined  yellowish 
spots  above ;  limbs  banded ;  tail  yellow  with  brown  spots ;   body 
stout  and  heavy.     L.  6.     N.  J. 

497.  A.  copianum  Hay.    Dark  brown,  yellowish  below;  no  dis- 
tinct spots ;  limbs  not  banded ;  tail  not  spotted ;  body  very  short 
and  stout,  the  distance  from  snout  to  axil  equal  to  distance  from 
axil  to  groin  ;  tail  long,  compressed.     Irvington,  Ind.,  one  specimen 
known.     (To  Edward  Drinker  Cope.) 

aaa.  Costal  grooves  12. 

e.  Sole  with  two  distinct  tubercles;  snout  with  mucous  pores. 

498.  A.  tigrinum  (Green).     Dark  brown,  with  usually  many 
irregular  yellow  blotches,  sometimes  arranged  in  cross-bands  ;  body 
thick  and  strong ;  the  head  comparatively  long ;  tail  not  much,  if  any, 
longer  than  head  and  body  ;  color  varying  from  uniform  brown  to 
yellow,  but  usually  spotted.   L.  8.   N.  E.  to  Minn,  and  S.,  common. 

499.  A.  xiphias  Cope.     Yellow  olive,  brighter  below  ;  back  and 
sides  with  brown  reticulating  bands ;  head  small,  blunt ;  tail  very 
long,  much  longer  than  head  and  body.     L.  11.     Ohio.     (£i<£/a?, 
sword-shaped.) 

ee.  Sole  with  one  indistinct  tubercle  or  none;  palatine  teeth  inter- 
rupted. 

500.  A.  jeffersonianum   (Green).     Olive  brown  or  blackish, 
usually  with  pale  or  bluish  spots,  but  sometimes  uniform  plumbeous. 
Head  small,  eyes  far  back ;  body  slender ;  fore  limb  not  reaching 
hinder  when  appressed.      L.  5  to  8.     Va.  to  Ind.  and  1ST.,  common, 
variable.    Prof.  Cope  recognizes  the  typical  variety  jeffersonianum, 
Penn.  to  111.   and   N.;  var.  laterale   Hallowell,  Canada  to  Wis., 
with  large  white  spots  on  sides  and  tail ;  var.  fuscum  Hallowell,  S. 
Ind.  to  Va.,  dark  brown,  a  darker  band  along  sides ;  var.  platineum, 
Ohio  to  S.  111.,  with  narrower  head,  b\  to  6  in  length  to  groin  ;  plum- 
beous, paler  below,  sometimes  with  whitish  blotches.     (To  Thomas 
Jefferson.) 


PLETHODONTID.-E.  —  OIL  179 

255.  CHONDROTUS  Cope,  (xovdpos,  cartilage  ;  ovs,  ear.) 
501.  C.  microstomus  Cope.  Blackish,  usually  with  plumbeous 
shades  and  specks  ;  head  small,  short,  broad  ;  body  slender  ;  skin 
very  smooth  and  slippery  ;  snout  very  short,  the  lower  jaw  project- 
ing beyond  it.  Costal  grooves  14.  Ohio  to  Kansas  and  S.  (piicpos, 
small  ;  cra'/na,  mouth.) 

FAMILY  OIL    PLBTHODONTID^l. 

Vertebrae  amphiccelian  ;  carpus  and  tarsus  cartilaginous  ;  para- 
sphenoid  with  one  or  two  laminae  which  are  covered  by  a  coarse 
brush  of  teeth  which  look  downwards  on  roof  of  mouth.  The 
species  with  cylindric  tails  rarely  or  never  enter  water.  Genera  1  1  ; 
species  35  ;  chiefly  North  American. 

a.  Tongue  attached  by  a  band  running  from  its  central  or  posterior  pedicel  to 

the  anterior  margin  ;  premaxillaries  two,  with  fontanelle. 
b.  Toes  4-4  ..............    HEMTOACTYTJTTM,  256. 

bb,  Toes  4-5  ................   PLETHODON,  257. 

aa.  Tongue  free  all  around,  attached  by  its  central  pedicel  only;  toes  4-5,  all 

free. 
c.  Premaxillaries  two,  with  fontanelle  .....    GYEINOPHILUS,  258. 

cc.  Premaxillary  single,  with  fontanelle  .....      SPELERPES,  259. 


256.  HEMID  A  CTYLIUM  Tschudi.     (q/u-,  half  ;  daKrvXos,  toe.) 

502.  H.  scutatum  (Schlegel).      Brown  above;  snout  yellow; 
whitish  below,  with  dots  like  ink  spots  ;  body  short  ;  tail  slender  ; 
skin  of  back  with  depressions  resembling  scales.     Costal  grooves 
13.     L.  2£.     R.  I.  to  111.,  and  S. 

257.  PLETHODON  Tschudi.     (77X^09,  crowd  ;  o6\ai/,  tooth.) 

a.  Costal  groove  16  to  18  ;  palatine  teeth  not  extending  outward  beyond  inner 
nares. 

503.  P.  erythronotus  (Green).     Plumbeous  above,  often  with  a 
broad  brownish  red  dorsal  band  ;  belly  marbled  ;  body  very  slen- 
der ;  tail  cylindric  ;   inner  toes  rudimentary.      L.  3£.      E.  U.  S., 
common  under  logs,  etc.  ;  nocturnal  in  habit  and  very  active.    Var. 
cinereus  Green,  found  with  the  other,  lacks  the  red  dorsal  band. 
(epvQpos,  red  ;  V£>TOS,  back.) 

aa.  Costal  grooves  14;  palatine  teeth  extending  outside  of  inner  nares. 

504.  P.  glutinosus  (Green),     Black,  usually  with  bluish-white 
blotches   and   specks  ;   stout  ;  tail  rounded  ;    inner  toes   well  de- 
veloped.    L.  5  to  7.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  terrestrial. 


258.  GYRINOPHILUS  Cope.     (yvpW,  tadpole  ;  0t'Aos,  lover.) 

505.  G.  porphyriticus  (Green).     Yellowish  or  purplish  brown 

above,  irregularly  blotched  with  gray  ;  head  broad  ;  tail  rounded  at 


180         BATRACHIA  :  URODELA.  —  XXVI. 

base,  not  finned.  Costal  grooves  14.  L.  6.  Aquatic.  Vt.  to  Ala. 
in  the  mountains.  "  The  only  one  of  our  Eastern  Salamanders 
which  attempts  self-defence.  It  snaps  fiercely  but  harmlessly  and 
throws  its  body  into  contortions."  (Cope.)  (iropffrvpa,  purple.) 

259.  SPELERPES  Rafinesque.     (<nre'or,  cave ;  epTreroi/,  reptile.) 
a.  Costal  grooves  13  or  14;  palatine  teeth  not  confluent  with  sphenoid  patches. 

b.  Tail  about  as  long  as  rest  of  body. 

506.  S.  bilineatus  (Green).    Yellow,  with  a  dark  line  along  each 
side  of  the  back  ;  belly  unspotted  ;  tail  not  keeled  anteriorly ;  costal 
grooves  14,  rather  faint.     L.  3.     Maine  to  Wis.  and  S. 

bb.  Tail  li  to  2  times  as  long  as  rest  of  body. 

507.  S.  guttolineatus  (Holbrook).    Yellow,  with  black  band  on 
back  and  one  on  side ;  tail  black,  barred  with  yellow ;  belly  mot- 
tled ;  tail  keeled  ;  costal  grooves  13.     Ohio  to  N.  C.  and  S. 

508.  S.  longicauda  (Green).     CAVE   SALAMANDER.     Orange 
yellow ;  back  and  sides  with  many  irregular  small  black  spots ;  a 
median  dorsal  series  ;  belly  spotless  ;  tail  keeled,  spotted  or  barred 
with  black.     L.  5.     Maine  to  Minn,  and  S.,  abundant  in  caves  in 
Ky.  and  Ind.     (Lat.,  longus ;  cauda,  tail.) 

aa.  Costal  grooves  15  to  17;  tail  rounded  at  base,  not  keeled;  palatine  and 
sphenoid  teeth  continuous. 

509.  S.  ruber  (Daudin).   Vermilion  red,  with  numerous,  crowded 
faint  dark  spots  ;  head  wide  ;  tail  shorter  than  body.    L.  6.    Maine 
to  Neb.  and  S.     Var.  montanus  Cope  (Penn.  to  S.  C.)  has  tail  as 
long  as  body,  and  lacks  the  dark  bar  across  eye  usually  present  in 
var.  ruber. 

FAMILY  CI1I.    DESMOGKNATHID^J. 

Vertebras  opisthocoelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  cartilaginous ;  pala- 
tine teeth  few,  sometimes  wanting ;  no  crests  or  other  dermal  ap- 
pendages developed  at  the  breeding  season.  Genus  1 ;  species  3  ; 
all  of  the  Eastern  U.  S.,  the  species  aquatic,  seldom  leaving  the 
water.  In  external  characters,  this  family  is  scarcely  distinguish- 
able from  the  preceding,  but  the  skeletal  distinctions  are  very 
strongly  marked. 

260.  DESMOGNATHUS  Baird.     (8f<rpos,  band ;  yvdOos,  jaw.) 

a.  Costal  grooves  13  or  14. 
b.  Tail  sub-terete. 

510.  D.  ochrophsea  Cope.    Brownish  yellow  with  a  brown  shade 
on  each  side  ;  a  yellowish  dorsal  band  ;  back  with  a  few  spots  ;  belly 
unspotted;    £  with  lower  jaw  toothless  behind.    L.  3.     Scarcely 
aquatic.     N.  Y.  to  Ga.  in  rats,     (compos,  yellowish  ;  <jxu6s,  dusky.) 

bb.  Tail  compressed  and  keeled. 


PLEURODELID.E.  —  CIV.  181 

511.  D.  fusca  (Rafinesque).     Brown  above,  with  gray  or  pur- 
plish spots  or  shades,  becoming  blackish  with  age  ;  marbled  below  ; 
eyes  prominent ;  tail  as  long  as  head  and  body.     L.  4.     Mass,  to 
Ohio  and  S. ;    common  in   springs ;   remarkable  for  its  activity. 
Represented  from  Ind.  S.  and  W.  by  var.  auriculata  Holbrook,  with 
small  red  spots  on  sides  and  sometimes  a  dark  ear-spot.      (Lat., 
dusky.) 

aa.  Costal  grooves  12 ;  tail  compressed  and  keeled. 

512.  D.  nigra  (Green).     Uniform  black;  body  stout;  palatine 
teeth  never  wanting.     L.  6.     Penn.  to  111.  and  S.,  in  mountain 
springs. 

FAMILY  CIV.    PLEURODELID^J.     (THE  NEWTS.) 

Vertebrae  opisthocoelian ;  carpus  and  tarsus  ossified.  Palatine 
teeth  in  two  series  diverging  backward ;  no  parasphenoid  teeth ; 
skull  with  a  bony  post-fronto-squamosal  arch,  a  skeletal  character 
which  separates  this  family  from  the  European  Salamandridce. 
Genera  5;  species  16;  chiefly  of  Europe  and  Asia. 

a.  Tongue  small,  thick,  oval,  attached  by  nearly  its  whole  inferior  surface; 
toes  4-5,  outer  and  interior  on  hind  foot  rudimentary;  tail  compressed. 

DlEMYCTYLUS,   261. 

261.  DlEMYCTYLUS  Rafinesque.     (8fr,  two  ;  ij/u-,  half  ; 
daKTv\os,  toe.) 

513.  D.  viridescens  Rafinesque.    NEWT.    EVET.   EFT.    Above 
olive  green  or  reddish  of  varying  shades;    lemon  yellow  below; 
each  side  usually  with  a  row  of  several  rather  large  scarlet  spots, 
each  surrounded  by  a  black  ring ;  back  with  a  pale  streak ;  belly, 
with  small  black  dots ;   head  with  three  longitudinal  grooves ;   3 
large  pores  behind  eye.     L.  3£.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant  N.  and  N.  E. ; 
in  ponds. 

Var.  miniatus  Rafinesque,  the  RED  EFT,  is  entirely  similar, 
but  bright  vermilion  red,  and  with  the  skin  rougher.  It  is  found 
in  the  same  region  but  away  from  water,  under  stones,  etc.,  coming 
out  after  rain.  It  is  probably  a  form  of  the  preceding,  its  pecu- 
liarities being  due  to  life  out  of  water.  (Lat.,  greenish.) 

ORDER  XXVII      SALIENTIA.     (THE  TAILLESS  BATRA- 

CHIANS.) 

Body  short  and  broad ;  all  four  limbs  present,  the  hinder  limbs 
long  and  strong,  adapted  for  leaping ;  lower  jaw  usually  tooth- 
less; tail  wanting  in  the  adult.  Young  (tadpole)  fish-like,  with 
broad  head,  external  branchiae,  a  long  tail,  no  limbs  and  no  teeth; 
the  intestinal  canal  very  long,  adapted  for  a  vegetable  diet ;  from 


182  BATRACHIA:  SALIENTIA.  —  XXVII. 

this  form  by  degrees  it  develops  into  the  adult  animal,  which  is 
always  more  or  less  frog-like.     (Lat.,  saliens,  leaping.) 

Families  of  Salientia. 
a.  Tongue  present,  adherent  in  front,  more  or  less  free  behind  ;  eustachian 

tubes  widely  separated. 

b.  Thoracic  *  region  capable  of  expansion :  the  free  and  divergent  ends  of 
the  coracoid  and  precoracoid  connected  by  two  longitudinal  cartila- 
ginous bands,  the  cartilage  of  one  side  overlapping  the  other.  Toads 
and  Tree-toads.  (Ardfera.) 

c.  Upper  jaw  toothless;    toes  webbed,   not  dilated  at  tip;    paratoids 
(glandular  bodies  behind  ear)  generally  present;  terrestrial. 

BUFONID^E,  105. 
cc.  Upper  jaw  with  teeth. 

d.  Fingers  and  toes  tapering,  without  viscid  disks ;  ours  with  a  sharp 
flat-edged  spur  at  heel ;  paratoids  present ;  subterranean. 

PELOBATID^E,  106. 

dd.  Fingers  and  toes  more  or  less  dilated  at  their  tips,  this  dilation 
forming  a  viscid  disk;    paratoids   none  in  our  species;  chiefly 

arboreal HYLID^E,  107. 

bb.  Thoracic  region  incapable  of  expansion,  the  two  bands  of  cartilage 
united  in  a  median  mass  between  the  adjacent  ends  of  the  nearly 
parallel  coracoid  and  precoracoid  bones.     Frogs.     (Firmisternia.) 
e.  Upper  jaw  toothless ;  diapophyses  of  sacral  vertebrae  dilated  (tympa- 
num hidden  and  toes  free  in  our  species).      ENGYSTOMATID^E,  108. 
ee.  Upper  jaw  with  teeth;  no  paratoids;  toes  webbed,  and  usually  fin- 
gers also;  tympanum  evident;  no  viscid  disks;  sacral  diapophyses 
scarcely  dilated RANID^E,  109. 

FAMILY  CV.    BUFONID^l.     (THE  TOADS.) 
Jaws  toothless;  toes  webbed,  not  dilated  at  their  tips;  sacra 
vertebra  with  dilated  processes;  paratoids  prominent.     Genera  8; 
species  85,  in  most  warm  regions, 
a.  Snout  not  pointed ;  no  lateral  fold  of  skin ;  skin  more  or  less  warty. 

BUFO,  262. 
262.  BUFO  Laurenti.     (Lat.  Toad.) 

514.  B.  lentiginosus  Shaw.  AMERICAN  TOAD.  Brownish 
olive  with  a  yellowish  vertebral  line  and  some  brownish  spots  ; 
two  black  patches  below  eyes ;  tympanum  large ;  adults  very 
warty  ;  young  nearly  smooth  ;  a  bony  ridge  above  and  behind  eye ; 
paratoids  elliptical.  L.,  3^.  E.  U.  S.,  very  common,  variable ; 
the  northern  form  is  var.  americanus  (Le  Conte)  having  the  bony 
ridges  moderate,  not  swollen  behind ;  var.  fowleri  Putnam,  Mass, 
and  N.,  has  these  crests  much  swollen  and  coalescent,  "forming 
an  osseous  boss  on  the  skull."  (Lat.,  freckled.) 

FAMILY  CVI.    PELOBATID^E.   (THE  BURROWING  TOADS.) 

Upper  jaw  with  teeth;  heel  usually  provided  with  a  more  or  less 
developed  spur.  Genera  8,  species  18  ;  Europe  and  America. 

1  To  understand  the  character  of  the  structure  here  briefly  described,  the  student 
should  dissect  a  toad  (arciferous)  arid  a  frog  (firmisternial.) 


HYLIDJE.  —  CVII.  183 

a.  Forehead  and  crown  bony,  rough  ;  skin  slightly  tuberculate  ;  sacrum  not 
co-ossified  with  coccyx  ;  vomer  with  teeth  :  heel  with  a  spadelike  pro- 
cess covered  by  a  horny  sheath;  toes  more  or  less  webbed. 

SCAPHIOPUS,  263. 


263.  SCAPHIOPUS  Holbrook.     (ovcac^,  spade  ;  vovs,  foot.) 

515.  S.    holbrooki    Harlan.     SPADE-FOOT.     Olive  brown,   a 
yellowish  band  on  each  side.     E.  U.  S.,  rare  W.  of  Penn.  ;   bur- 
rows in  the  ground  ;    extremely  noisy  in  spring.    "  The  machinery 
for   producing  sounds  equal  to  an  ordinary  steam  whistle  is  ap- 
parently confined  to  the  throat  of  this  rare  and  curious  Batra- 
chian."     (Abbott.)    L.  3.     (To  Dr.  J.  E.  Holbrook.) 

FAMILY  CVII.    HYLID^J.     (THE  TREE  FROGS.) 

Fingers  and  toes  more  or  less  dilated  into  viscous  disks  at  their 
tips  ;  upper  jaw  and  vomer  with  teeth  ;  lower  parts  usually  covered 
with  small  warts;  ear  well  developed.  Genera  14;  species  170; 
found  in  most  warm  regions,  especially  abundant  in  tropical  Amer- 
ica; noted  for  their  loud  and  varied  voices,  some  of  them  being 
heard  at  all  times  from  early  spring  until  frost  coines. 

a.  Disks  small  ;  fingers  not  webbed  ;  palustrine. 

b.  Toes  broadly  webbed  ;  tympanum  indistinct  ......    ACRIS,  264. 

bb.  Toes  scarcely  webbed;  tympanum  distinct.    .     .      CHOROPHILUS,  265. 

aa.  Disks  round,  conspicuous;  fingers  somewhat  webbed;  skin  roughened; 

arboreal  ..................    HYLA,  266. 

264.  ACRIS  Dumeril  &  Bibron.     (aicpis,  locust,  from  its 
sharp  note.) 

516.  A.  gryllus  Le  Conte.     CRICKET  FROG.     Hind  legs  very 
long.     Brownish  above  ;   middle  of  back  and  head  bright   green 
or  reddish  brown  ;  a  dark  triangle  between  the  eyes  ;  sides  with 
three  oblique  blotches  ;    a  white  line  from  eye  to  arm.     L.   1^. 
E.  U.  S.,  in  swamps,  not  on  trees  ;  var.  gryllus,  S.,  N.  to  S.  111.    The 
northern  form  is  var.  crepitans  Baird.     Its  snout  is  more  blunt  and 
the  inner  surface  of  thigh  not  reticulate;  its  note  resembles  the 
rattling  of  pebbles.     (ypuXXoy,  a  pig.) 

265.  CHOROPHILUS  Baird.     (x<>p6s,  chorus;  <£iXor,  lover.) 

517.  C.  triseriatus  (Wied).    SWAMP  TREE  FROG.    Bluish  ash, 
a  dark  dorsal  stripe  from  snout  backward,  bifurcating  above  middle 
of  body  ;  a  stripe  on  each  side  of  this  and  one  on  side  of  head 
and  body,  the  later  pale-edged  below.    L.I.    Variable.    In  swampy 
ground,  rarely  in  trees.     Its  voice  is  a  "  rattle  with  a  rising  inflec- 
tion at  the  end  "  (Cope),  or  like  the  scraping  of  a  coarse-toothed 
comb.     (Lat.  3-rowed.) 


184  BATRACHIA:   SALIENTIA.  —  XXVII. 

266.  HYLA  Laurenti.     (vXi;,  forest.) 

518.  H.  versicolor  Le  Conte.    COMMON  TREE  TOAD.    Green, 
gray  or  brown,  with  irregular  dark  blotches ;  below  yellow,  behind 
white;  tympanum  f  diam.  eye;  fingers  £  webbed;  skin  with  small 
warts.    L.  2.     E.  U.  S.,  W.  to  Kan.,  very  abundant  and  variable. 
Its  "  clear,  loud  trilled  rattle  "  is  heard  mostly  in  the  evening  and 
in  damp  weather. 

519.  H.  pickeringii  Holbrook.    Yellowish  brown  or  fawn-color, 
with  dusky  rhomboidal  spots  and  lines,  the  latter  usually  arranged 
in  the  form  of  an  oblique  cross ;  head  with  lines ;  limbs  barred ; 
tympanum  very  obscure.     L.  1.     E.  U.  S. 

520.  H.    squirella  Daudin.     Olive  green,  with  irregular  dark 
blotches  ;  a  dark  bar  between  eyes ;  a  white  line  along  upper  jaw 
to  shoulder ;  greenish  white  below,  darker  behind ;  throat  with  a 
few  dark  spots  ;  legs  marked  with  darker  above  ;  tympanum  half 
diam.  eye.    L.  1 J.    Ind.  (Brookville,  A.  W.  Butler)  to  S.  C.    (Eng. 
squirrel.) 

521.  H.  andersonii  Baird.     Deep  pea-green;   sides  with  irre- 
gular yellow  spots ;  a  green  spot  on  throat ;  a  purplish  band  from 
eye  to  arm  ;  tympanum  \  eye.     L.  l£.     N.  J.  to  S.  C.,  rare. 

FAMILY  CVIII.  ENGYSTOMATIDuE.   (THE  TOOTHLESS 

FROGS.) 

Frog-like  Batrachians  with  the  maxillaries  toothless  and  the 
diapophyses  of  the  sacral  vertebrae  dilated.  Genera  18;  species 
54,  chiefly  tropical. 

a.  Pupil  erect;  tongue  elliptical  ;  tympanum  hidden;  toes  free;  no  preco- 
racoids ENGYSTOMA,  267. 

267.  ENGYSTOMA  Fitzinger.     (eyyvs,  contracted ;  oro/na, 
mouth.) 

522.  E.  carolinense  Holbrook.     Snout  obtuse,  not  twice  eye; 
skin  smooth,  a  fold  across  head  behind  eyes.     Brown,  dotted  with 
paler  below.     L.  1.     S.  U.  S.,  N.  to  Mo. 

FAMILY  CIX.    RANID-&J.     (THE  FROGS.) 

Teeth  well  developed  on  upper  jaw,  and  usually  on  vomer  also ; 
toes  4-5,  all  more  or  less  webbed;  ear  well  developed.  Genera  18, 
species  250,  chiefly  of  the  Northern  Hemisphere  and  the  East 
Indies.  Most  of  them  are  aquatic,  and  similar  to  our  common 
frogs. 

a.  Vomerine  teeth  present;  no  finger  opposable  to  the  others;  tongue  emargi- 
nate  behind;  hind  toes  full-webbed RANA,  268. 

268.  RANA  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  frog.) 

a.  Glandular  folds  on  each  side  of  back  more  or  less  distinct;  web  of  feet  not 
reaching  tip  of  fourth  toe. 


RANID^E. —  CIX.  185 

b.  Tympanum  smaller  than  eye. 

c.  Back  with  large  distinct  dark  spots,  more  or  less  regularly  arranged ; 
vomerine  teeth  between  the  inner  nares. 

523.  R.  areolata  Baird.     The  Northern  form  is  var.  circulosa 
Rice  &  Davis,  thus  described:    Brownish  black,  divided  by  narrow 
clay-colored  lines  into  irregular  circular  blotches,  largest  behind ; 
arms  and  legs  barred  or  blotched;  head  broad  depressed  ;  snout 
very  obtuse ;  skin  coarsely  punctate ;  a  deep  hollow  between  nostril 
and  eye ;  region  above  and  behind  ear  swollen ;  glandular  folds 
large;   toes  narrowly  webbed.     L.   3^;  leg,  5£.     N.  Ind.  and  111. 
The  typical  areolata,  from  Texas,  has  spots  smaller,  bordered  with 
white.     (Lat.,  with  little  areas  or  spots.) 

524.  R.  virescens  Kalm.    COMMON  FROG.    LEOPARD  FROG. 
Green,  usually  bright,  with  irregular  black  blotches  edged  with 
whitish,  these  mostly  in  two  irregular  rows  on  back ;  usually  two 
spots  between  eyes ;  legs  barred  above ;  belly  pale  ;  glandular  folds 
large ;  head  rather  elongate.     L.  2|.     N.  Am.,  W.  to  Sierra  Ne- 
vada, very  common.     (R.  halecina  "  Kalm.")     (Lat.,  greenish.) 

525.  R.  palustris  Le  Conte.     PICKEREL  FROG.     Light  brown, 
with  two  rows  of  large  oblong  square  blotches  of  dark  brown  on 
back;   one  or  two  on  sides;  a  brown  spot  above  eye;   a  dark  line 
from  nostril  to  eye ;    upper  jaw  white,  spotted  with  black ;   head 
short,  obtuse ;  toes  well  webbed ;  glandular  folds  low.     L.  2f .     E. 
U.  S.,  in  mountains,  etc.     (Lat.,  in  swamps.) 

cc.  Back  with  small  dark  spots  or  none. 

d.  Side  of  head  without  distinct  dark  band;  vomerine  teeth  between  the 
inner  nares. 

526.  R.  septentrionalis  Baird.      Brown   or  olive   with  paler 
vermiculations ;  sometimes  a  few  dark  blotches  behind;  pale  below; 
femur  and  tibia  equal,  \  length  of  body.     L.  2^.     Canada  to  Mon- 
tana.    (Lat.,  northern.) 

dd.  Side  of  head  with  a  dark  brown  band,  wider  behind,  from  snout  to 
near  shoulder,  bordered  below  by  a  yellowish  white  line ;  usually 
a  black  spot  at  base  of  arm ;  vomerine  teeth  extending  beyond  level 
of  hinder  edge  of  inner  nostril. 

527.  R.  sylvatica  Le  Conte.  WOOD-FROG.  Pale  reddish-brown ; 
arms  and  legs  barred  above;  head  small,  pointed;  femur  and  tibia 
about  equal,  the  latter  considerably  more  than  half  body ;  a  rounded 
outer  metatarsal  tubercle  present.     L.    If.     E.  U.  S.,  W.  to  the 
plains ;  common  in  damp  woods ;  an  almost  silent  frog. 

528.  R.  cantabrigensis  Baird.     Very  similar  to  preceding,  but 
the  tibia  half  length  of  body ;   a  narrow  pale  line  along  thighs  be- 
hind ;  a  dorsal  line  from  snout  to  arms ;  back  sometimes  with  dark 
spots  ;  no   outer  metatarsal  tubercle.     Mass.,  to  Alaska  and  N. 
(Lat.,  of  Cambridge.) 


186  BATRACHIA  :  SALIENTIA.  —  XXVII. 

i 

bb.  Tympanum  as  large  or  larger  than  eye. 

529.  R.  clamata  Daudin.     GREEN  FROG.    Green  or  brownish, 
brighter  in  front ;  generally  with  irregular  small  black  spots ;  arms 
and  legs  blotched,  yellowish  or  white  below ;   tympanum  large  ; 
glandular  folds  large  ;  toes  well  webbed  ;  first  finger  not  extending 
beyond  second ;  tibia  and  femur  equal,  ^  body.     L.  3.     E.  U.  S., 
in  springs,  etc.     (Lat.,  called  to.) 

aa.  Glandular  folds  on  sides  of  back  obsolete  or  nearly  so ;  dark  spots  on  back 
small;  web  of  feet  reaching  tip  of  fourth  toe. 

530.  R.  catesbiana  Shaw.     BULL-FROG.    Greenish,  of  varying 
shades,  with  small  faint  dark  spots  above  ;  head  usually  bright 
pale  green  ;  legs  blotched ;  ear  large     toes  broadly  webbed ;  femur 
equal  to  tibia,  not  half  body.     L.  5  to  8.     Largest  of  the  frogs ;  in 
ponds  and  sluggish  rivers,  from  Kansas  E. ;  remarkable  for  its 
sonorous  bass  notes.     (To  Mark  Catesby,  who  first  figured  the 
bull-frog.) 


KEPTILIA.  187 


CLASS  G.  —  REPTILIA.     (THE  REPTILES.) 

THE  Reptiles  are  cold-blooded  air-breathing  vertebrates,  usually 
scaly  or  covered  with  bony  plates,  never  with  feathers  or  hair. 
The  limbs  when  present  are  usually  adapted  for  walking,  sometimes 
for  swimming.  There  is  an  incomplete  double  circulation  of  the 
blood ;  the  septum  between  the  two  ventricles  being  usually  want- 
ing or  imperfect.  There  is  no  metamorphosis  after  leaving  the 
egg,  and  the  eggs  are  large  and  mostly  provided  with  a  leathery 
skin.  The  skeleton  is  usually  firm,  and  the  nervous  system  is 
better  developed  than  in  the  preceding  groups.  There  are  various 
other  anatomical  and  embryological  peculiarities  of  the  Reptiles, 
too  numerous  to  be  noticed  here.  We  may  say  however  that  the 
Reptiles  are  obviously  distinguished  from  the  Birds  by  the  absence 
of  feathers,  and  from  the  Batrachians  by  the  presence  of  scales, 
and  by  the  absence  of  gills  after  leaving  the  egg.  The  extinct 
forms  of  Reptiles  are  numerous,  and  their  close  relation  with  the 
earlier  birds  show  the  propriety  of  uniting  the  two  classes  in  a 
single  group,  Sauropsida.  The  three  orders  represented  in  our 
fauna  are  well  distinguished  from  each  other.  A  fourth  (Citoco- 
DILIA)  is  represented  by  two  species  (Alligator  mississippiensis 
Daudin,  and  the  rare  Crocodilus  americanus  Seba,)  in  the  lowlands 
of  the  South. 

Orders  of  Beptilia. 

a.  Body  covered  with  imbricated  scales  ;  vent  a  cross-slit ;  bones  of  skull 

separate;  jaws  with  teeth;  dorsal  vertebrae  and  ribs  movable. 
b.  Mouth  very  dilatable ;  bones  of  mandible  (and  of  head  generally)  united 
by  ligaments ;  limbs  wanting  or  represented  by  short  spurs  on  sides  of 
vent;  no  shoulder  girdle  ;  no  eyelids;  no  tympanum. 

OPHIDIA,  XXVIII. 

66.  Mouth  not  dilatable;  bones  of  mandible  united  by  a  bony  suture  in 
front;  limbs  4  (rarely  obsolete) ;  shoulder  girdle  present;  eyelids  and 

tympanum  usually  evident LACERTJLIA,  XXIX. 

aa.  Body  short,  depressed,  enclosed  between  two  bony  or  cartilaginous  shields 
(carapace;  plastron),  from  which  the  head,  limbs,  and  tail  may  be  pro- 
truded ;  jaws  with  a  horny  shield  and  no  teeth ;  vent  roundish  or  longi- 
tudinal, plaited TESTUDINATA,  XXX. 

ORDER  XXVIII.    OPHIDIA.     (THE  SERPENTS.) 

Reptiles  with  elongate,  terete  bodies,  obsolete  limbs,  and  with  an 
epidermal  covering  of  imbricated  scales,  which  is  shed  as  a  whole 
and  replaced  at  regular  intervals ;  the  mouth  very  dilatable ;  the 


188  REPTILIA  :   OPHIDIA.  —  XXVIII. 

bones  of  both  jaws  and  of  the  palato-pterygoid  arch  freely  movable, 
united  by  ligaments  only.  Limbs  wanting;  the  shoulder  girdle 
wanting ;  the  pelvic  girdle  usually  so,  rarely  rudimentary,  and  with 
the  hinder  limbs  represented  by  small  spurs  on  the  sides  of  the 
vent ;  vent  a  transverse  slit ;  tongue  forked,  capable  of  protrusion  ; 
no  eyelids,  nor  external  ears.  Various  anatomical  characters  dis- 
tinguish the  snakes,  but  the  elongated  form  and  absence  of  limbs 
separate  them  at  once  from  all  our  other  vertebrates,  excepting  the 
lizard  Ophiosaurus,  and  this  is  not  in  any  other  respect,  snake-like. 
(o<pis,  snake.) 

Families  of  Ophidia. 

a.  Maxillarr  horizontal,  not  excavated;  no  trace  of  hinder  limbs;  no  deep 
pit  between  eye  and  nostril ;  poison  fangs  wanting,  or  if  present,  per- 
manently erect. 

b.  Upper  jaw  with  solid  teeth  only;  no  grooved  nor  perforated  fangs.    (Non- 
venomous.)  COLUBKID^E,  110. 

bb.  Upper  jaw  with  a  permanently  erect  perforated  fang  in  front.  (Somewhat 

venomous.) ELAPID^E,  111. 

aa.  Maxillary  vertical ;  upper  jaws  in  front  with  large,  erectile  perforated 
fangs;  fangs  not  grooved  in  front;  a  deep  pit  on  each  side  behind 
nostril,  partly  occupying  the  excavated  maxillary.  (  Venomous.) 

CROTALIDJE,  112. 

FAMILY  CX.    COLUBRIDu3E.     (THE  COLUBRINE  SNAKES.) 

Both  jaws  fully  provided  with  teeth,  which  are  conical  and  not 
grooved ;  head  covered  with  shields ;  no  poison  fangs  ;  no  spur-like 
appendages  to  vent;  belly  covered  with  broad  band-like  plates 
(ventral  plates  or  gastrosteges) ;  tail  conical,  tapering ;  sub-caudal 
plates  (urosteges)  arranged  in  pairs. 

A  very  large  family  comprising  225  genera,  and  upwards  of  700 
species,  found  in  nearly  every  part  of  the  world,  but  most  abundant 
in  warm  regions.  They  differ  from  the  Elapidce  in  the  want  of 
erect  poison  fangs;  from  the  Crotalidce,  in  having  both  jaws  fully 
provided  with  teeth,  and  in  the  absence  of  erectile  poison  fangs ;  and 
from  the  Boidce  and  their  relatives  in  the  want  of  the  spur-like  ru- 
dimentary posterior  limbs. 

a.  Head  conic,  not  distinct  from  the  bod}*,  which  is  cylindric  and   rather 

rigid.     (Calamanince.) 

b.  None  of  the  teeth  grooved;  scales  not  keeled;  anal  plate  bifid;  inter- 
nasals  2. 
c.  Prefrontals  2. 
d.  Nasal  plate  single,  pierced  by  the  nostril;  lorals  present;  no  pre- 

ocular. 
e.  Scales  in  13  rows;  postorbital  single  (ventral  plates  120  to  135). 

CARPHOPHIOPS,  269. 
ee.  Scales  in  19  rows;  postorbitals  2  (V.  P.  170  to  185). 

ABASTOR,  270. 


COLL7BRID^E.  —  CX. 

dd.  Nasal  plates  2,  the  nostril  between  them;  a  loral  plate;  no  preocu- 

lar;  (scales  15  or  17,  V.  P.  115  to  125).    .    .     .     VIRGINIA,  271. 

cc.  Prefrontal  single ;  no  pveocular;  nasal  single;  (scales  19;  V. P.  170 to 

205) FARANCIA,  272. 

era.  Head  more  or  less  distinct  from  the  body  which  is  not  specially  rigid 

(Coronelliitce,1  Colubrince,  Homalopsinw). 
f.  Rostral  plate  normal,  not  recurved  nor  keeled. 
g.  Anal  plate  divided  ;  head  not  very  short. 
h.  Dorsal  scales  keeled  more  or  less. 
i.  Nasal  plates  2,  the  nostril  between  them. 
j.  Prefrontals  2. 

k.  Loral  plate  present. 

/.  Scales  on  back  and  sides  all  keeled  (ventral  plates  130  to  170). 
TO.  Posterior  teeth  not  longer  (scales  19  to  2i).  .  REGINA,  277. 
mm.  Posterior  teeth  longer  (scales  23  to  31). 

TROPIDONOTUS,  278. 

II.  Scales  on  sides  not  keeled;   those  on  back  often  with  the 
keels  obscure  (V.  P.  200  to  270 ;  scales  25  to  29). 

COLUBER,  279. 
Tele.  Loral  plate  absent  (scales  15  to  17;  V.  P.  125  to  130). 

STOKERIA,  274. 

jj.  Prefrontal  single ;  nasals  2 ;  loral  present ;  no  preocular  (scales  17 ; 
V.  P.  120  to  130) ;  body  slender,  the  head  distinct. 

HALDEA,  273. 
ii.  Nasal  single,  pierced  by  the  nostril;  loral  plate  present. 

n.  Nasal  plate  grooved;  tail  short  (scales  19;  V.  P.  130  to 

140) TKOPIDOCLONIUM,  275. 

nn.  Nasal  plate  not  grooved  below  nostril ;  tail  very  long, 
about  J  of  length  (scales  17;  V.  P.  150  to  160). 

CYCLOPHIS,  280. 
hh.  Dorsal  scales  not  keeled. 

o.  Nasal  single,  pierced  by  the  nostril;  loral  present;  tail 
long  (scales  15  ;  V.  P.  125  to  140).      LIOPELTIS,  281. 
oo.  Nasal  plates  2,  the  nostril  between  them;  loral  pres- 
ent ;  preoculars  2. 

p.  Head    depressed ;    preoculars  nearly  equal  in   size 
(scales  15  to  17;  V.  P.  140  to  200  or  more). 

DIADOPHIS,  284. 

pp.  Head  not  depressed ;    upper  preocular  much   the 
larger;  lower  sometimes  wanting;  (scales  17;  V. 

P.  170  to  210) BASCANION,  282. 

gg.  Anal  plate  entire. 

q.  Dorsal  scales  all  or  part  of  them  keeled;  head 
rather  long. 

1  These  three  sub-families  arc  so  vaguely  bounded  that  I  cannot  use  their  distinc- 
tive characters  in  the  key.  Professor  Cope  gives  the  following  definitions  :  — 

Homalopsince.  (Genera  273  to  278.)  "  Hypapophyses  spinous  to  caudal  region;  an- 
terior teeth  not  enlarged;  body  not  slender ;  head  distinct." 

Colubrince.  (Genera  279  to  283.)  Head  more  distinct  and  elongate;  body  and  tail 
longer;  teeth  entire,  not  longer  in  front. 

Coronellina.  (Genera  284  to  288.)  Head  slightly  distinct,  short ;  teeth  entire, 
not  enlarged  in  front. 


190  REPTILIA:  OPHIDIA.  —  XXVIII. 

r.  Postfrontals  2  pairs  ;  loral  single  ;  prefrontals  4  or  more  (scales  25  to 

35;  V.  P.  200  to  250) PITUOPHIS,  283. 

rr.  Postfrontals  1  pair ;  nasals  2 ;  posterior  teeth  rather  larger ;  vivipa- 
rous (scales  19  to  21;  V.  P.  140  to  180).      .     .    .    EUTAINIA,  276. 
qq.  Dorsal  scales  not  keeled,  rather  loosely  imbricate ;  head  short  (V.  P. 

160  to  240). 
s.  Rostral  plate  not  acute. 

t.  Loral  present  (scales  21  to  25) OPHIBOLUS,  285. 

tt.  Loral  absent  (scales  19) OSCEOLA,  286. 

ss.  Rostral  plate  acute,  the  snout  sharp-pointed  (scales  19). 

CEMOPHORA,  287. 

ff.  Rostral  plate  (at  tip  of  snout)  produced,  recurved  and  keeled;  dorsal 
scales  keeled;  anal  plate  divided;  head  broad  and  short;  some  of  the 
posterior  teeth  enlarged  (scales  23  to  27 ;  V.  P.  120  to  150). 

HETERODON,  288. 

The  following  purely  artificial  key  may  aid  in  finding  the  names 
of  specimens :  — 

I.  Dorsal  scales  not  keeled ;  anal  plate  bifid. 

a.  Scales  13;  V.  P.  about  130;  color  brownish  .    CARPHOPHIOPS,  269. 
aa.  Scales  15  to  17. 

d.  Ventral  plates  about  120 ;  brownish VIRGINIA,  271. 

bb.  V.  P.  about  140. 

c.  Blackish,  with  yellow  collar.         DIADOPHIS,  284. 

cc.  Green;  no  collar LIOPELTIS,  281. 

bbb.  V.  P.  about  185;  blue-black,  young  blotched.   BASCANION,  282. 
aaa.  Scales  19;  V.  P.  about  180. 

d.  Blue-black  with  three  red  lines ABASTOR,  270. 

dd.  Blue-black  with  square  red  spots  on  sides.   .    .   FARANCIA,  272. 
aaaa.  Scales  25  to  29  (median  dorsal  scales  faintly  keeled). 

COLUBER,  279. 

II.  Dorsal  scales  not  at  all  keeled;  anal  plate  entire. 
e.  V.  P.  about  170  to  205;  snout  not  sharp. 

/.  Scales  19;  red,  black-banded OSCEOLA,  286. 

ff.  Scales  21  to  25;  black,  brown  or  red,  mostly  variegated. 

OPHIBOLUS,  285. 
ee.  V.  P.  160  to  170;  scales,  19;  snout  sharp;  red  with  black  rings. 

CEMOPHORA,  287. 

III.  Dorsal  scales  more  or  less  keeled ;  anal  plate  entire. 

g.  Scales  19  to  21;  V.  P.  about  155;  striped      .     .     .    EUTAINIA,  276. 
gy.  Scales  25  to  35;  V.  P.  about  220;  blotched     .     .  PITUOPHIS,  283. 

IV.  Dorsal  scales  keeled ;  anal  plate  bifid. 

h.  Scales  15  to  17. 

i.  Tail  about  J  of  length;  V.  P.  155;  green.      .    .  CYCLOPHIS,  280. 
ft*.  Tail  not  J  of  length ;  brownish. 

j.  Loral  absent STORERIA,  274. 

jj.  Loral  present HALDEA,  273. 

hh.  Scales  19  to  21. 
k.  V.  P.  about  135;  blotched.       ....     TROPIDOCLONIUM,  275. 


COLUBRHXE.  —  CX.  191 

Tek.  V.  P.  about  150 ;  striped REGINA,  277. 

hhh.  Scales  23  to  29. 

I.  Snout  without  recurved  keel  at  tip. 

m.  V.  P.  130  to  160 ;  brownish,  usually  with  cross  blotches. 

TROPIDONOTUS,  278. 
mm.  V.  P.  200  to  240 ;  brown  or  black,  mostly  blotched.    COLUBER,  279. 

II.  Snout  recurved  and  keeled;  V.  P.  125  to  150.  HETERODON,  288. 

269.  CARPHOPHIOPS  Gervais.   (/edp<£os,  dry  twig ;  o0t?5  snake ; 
5\js,  appearance.) 

a.  Frontals,  two  pairs. 

531.  C.  amoenus  (Say).      GROUND   SNAKE.     Glossy  chestnut 
brown ;  belly  salmon-red ;  head  very  small ;  vertical  plate  broad ; 
scales  13  ;  V.  P.  112  to  131.     L.  12.     Mass,  to  111.  and  S.     (Lat., 
pleasing.) 

532.  C.  vermis  (Kennicott).     WORM  SNAKE.     Purplish-black, 
belly  flesh  color,  the  color  extending  on   sides ;  scales  13 ;  larger 
than  the  others.     Mo.  to  Kan.     (Lat.  worm.) 

aa.  Frontals,  a  single  pair. 

533.  C.  helenae    (Kennicott).     Lustrous   chestnut-brown,  flesh 
color  beneath;  snout   short  and  narrow;    scales  13.     S.   Ind.  to 
Miss.     (To  Miss  Helen  Tennison.) 

270.  ABASTOR  Gray.     (A  coined  name.) 

534.  A.  erythrogrammus  (Daudin.)    "  HOOP  SNAKE."    Blue- 
back  ;  sides  with  three  red  lines ;   belly  flesh   color,  with  black 
blotches ;   eyes  very  large ;  nostril  in  the  middle  of  nasal  plate ; 
scales  19;  V.  P.  167-185.      L.  25.     N.  C.  to  S.  111.  and  S. ;   a 
harmless  snake  concerning  which  many  absurd  stories  have  been 
told,     (cpvdpos,  red  ;  ypap.p.rjt  line.) 

271.  VIRGINIA  Baird  &  Girard. 

535  V.  valeriae  Baird  &  Girard.  Grayish,  with  minute  black 
dots,  often  in  two  rows;  yellowish  beneath;  scales  15;  V.  P.  120 
to  130.  L.  12.  Md.  to  111.  and  S.  (To  Miss  Valeria  Blaney.) 

536.  V.  elegans  Kennicott.     Scales  very  narrow  and  elongate  ; 
olivaceous  above,  yellowish  beneath  ;  scales  1 7.     S.  Ind.  to  Ark. 

272.  PARANOIA  Gray.     (A  coined  name.) 

537.  F.  abacura  (Holbrook).    HORN  SNAKE.    Blue-black  with 
red,  squarish  spots  on  side;  belly  red,  blotched  with  black;  eyes 
small;  scales  19  ;  V.  P.  170  to  203.     L.  36.     S.  C.  to  S.  111.  (Nel- 
son) and  S.     (a/3a£,  checker;  ovpd,  tail.) 

273.  HALDEA  Baird  &  Girard.     (To  Prof.  Samuel 
S.  Haldeman?) 

538.  H.  striatula  (L.).     BROWN    SNAKE.     Head  elongated, 
on  a  small  neck.     Eye  large.     Reddish  gray,  salmon  red  beneath ; 


192  REPTILIA:   OPHIDIA.  —  XXVIII. 

scales  17;  V.  P.  110  to  130.     L.  10.     Va.  to  Wis.  and  Texas. 
(Lat.,  narrowly  striped.) 

274.  STORERIA  Baird  &  Girard.     (To  Dr.  David  Humphreys 

Storer). 

539.  S.    occipitomaculata    (Storer).     RED-BELLIED   SNAKE. 
Greyish  or  chestnut  brown,  usually  showing  a  paler  vertebral  band 
bordered  by  blackish  dots;    obscure  dots  on  side;    occiput  with 
three  pale  blotches  (a  very  constant  feature)  ;  belly  salmon  red  ; 
scales  15;  V.  P.  120  to  125.     L.  12.     Minn,  to  Mass,  and  Ga.  ; 
abundant  E.     (Lat.,  occiput-spotted.) 

540.  S.  dekayi  (Holbrook).      Grayish  brown;    a  clay-colored 
dorsal  band,  bordered  by  dotted  lines  ;  grayish  below  ;  a  dark  patch 
on  each  side  of  the  occiput;  scales  17;  V.  P.  120  to  138.     L.  12. 
E.  U.  S.,  W.  to  Rocky  Mts.     (To  James  E.  DeKay.) 


275.  TROPIDOCLONIUM  Cope.     (rpoTns,  keel  ; 
small  twig.) 

541.  T.  kirtlandi  (Kennicott).     Light  reddish  brown,  with  4 
series  of  round  black  spots  ;    belly  reddish  with  a  row  of  black 
spots   on  each  side  ;    head  shining  black  ;  head   small  ;    vertical 
plate  broad;  scales  19,  all  carinated  ;  V.  P.  115  to  140.     L.  16. 
Ohio  to  111.     (To  Dr.  Jared  P.  Kirtland.) 

276.  EUTAINIA  Baird  &  Girard.     GARTEK  SNAKES. 

(ev,  well  ;  raivLa,  ribbon.) 
a.  Lateral  stripe  on  3d  and  4th  rows  of  scales. 
b.  Scales  little  or  not  spotted,  in  nineteen  rows  ;  a  dorsal  band  ;  body  very 

slender. 
c.  Stripes  alike  in  color. 

542.  E.  saurita  (L.).     RIBAND  SNAKE.     Chocolate  with  three 
yellow  stripes  ;  light  brown  below  the  lateral  stripes  ;  tail  usually 
3|  in  length;  colors  bright;  V.  P.  150  to  160.     L.  36.    E.  U.  S., 
chiefly  E.  of  the  Alleghanies,  about  streams.     (Lat.,  lizard-like.) 

543.  E.  faireyi  Baird  &  Girard.     Blackish,  with  three  greenish 
yellow  stripes  ;  body  relatively  stout  ;  tail  less  than  ^  length  ;  space 
below  bands  same  color  as  above  ;  V.  P.  165  to  180.     L.  30.    Wis. 
to  La.     (To  James  Fairie.) 

cc.  Stripes  not  uniform  in  color. 

544.  E.  proxima  (Say).     Blackish,  dorsal  stripe  brownish  yel- 
low ;  lateral  stripes  greenish  ;  tail  ^  of  total  length  ;  sides  colored 
like  back;  V.  P.  165  to  175.      L.  35.     Wis.  to  Mexico.     (Lat., 
near.) 

bb.  Scales  above  and  below  lateral  line  with  subquadrate  black  spots. 


COLUBRID^E.  —  CX.  193 

545.  B.  radix   Baird  &  Girard.      Green  or  black  with  three 
narrow  yellow  stripes  ;  six  series  of  black  spots  ;  scales  very  rough, 
the  outer  row  broad ;  colors  deep ;  head  short ;   tail  short,  5  in 
length;  scales  19  to  21  ;  V.  P.  150  to  160.      L.  25.     Wis.  to  Ore- 
gon.    (Lat.,  root,  from  Root  R.,  Wis.) 

aa.  Lateral  stripe  on  2d  and  3d  rows  of  scales ;  body  stoutish,  the  tail  4  in 

length. 
d.  Scales  in  19  rows. 

546.  E.  sirtalis  (L.).     COMMON  GARTER  SNAKE.     STRIPED 
SNAKE.      Olivaceous,  dorsal  stripe  narrow,  obscure ;  3  series  of 
small  dark  spots  on  each  side,  about  seventy  between  head  and 
vent ;   sides  and  belly  greenish ;   lateral  stripes  rather  broad  but 
not  conspicuous ;  colors  generally  duller  than  in  the  other  species. 
V.  P.  130  to  160.     N.  Am.,  everywhere  except  in  Cal. ;  our  com- 
monest snake  ;  very  variable.     (Lat.,  like  a  garter.) 

Prominent  varieties  are :  Var.  ordinata  (L.)  with  the  stripes  ob- 
scure or  wanting  and  the  spots  more  distinct,  square,  85  in  num- 
ber before  anus ;  V.  P.  spotted  on  sides.  Chiefly  northeastward. 
Var.  dorsalis  (Baird  &  Girard)  has  the  dorsal  stripe  broad,  and  two 
rows  of  small  distinct  spots  on  each  side.  N.  Am.,  everywhere. 
Var.  obscura  Cope,  uniform  brown,  the  spots  obscure,  the  bands 
distinct.  Var.  parietalis  (Say)  has  the  stripes  dull  greenish  and 
the  space  between  the  lateral  spots  of  a  more  or  less  vivid  brick 
red.  Ind.  to  Cal. 

dd.  Scales  in  21  rows. 

547.  E.   vagrans  Baird  &   Girard.      Ashy  brown,   usually  a 
narrow  dorsal  stripe;  each  side  with  about  100  small  black  spots 
in  two  series.     V.  P.  160  to  180.     Ills.  (Nelson)  to  Cal. 

277.  REGINA  Baird  &  Girard. 
a.  Postorbitals  2. 

548.  R.  rigida  (Say).    Greenish  brown ;  two  brown  dorsal  bands  ; 
a  brown  spot  at  base  of  each  scale  on  sides ;  belly  yellowish,  blotched; 
outer  row  of  scales  smooth;  scales,  19  ;  V.  P.  130  to  170.     L.  24. 
Penn.  to  Ga.,  chiefly  E.  of  mts.,  W.  to  Central  111.     (Hay.) 

549.  R.  leberis  (L.).     Chestnut  brown;  a  yellow  lateral  band 
and  three  narrow  black  dorsal  stripes  ;  belly  yellow,  with  two  brown 
bands;   scales  all  keeled;    scales  19;  V.  P.  140  to  150.     L.  24. 
U.  S.,  about  streams.     (Lat.,  cast-off  snake-skin.) 

aa.  Postorbitals  3,  the  lower  very  small. 

550.  R.  grahami    (Baird  &  Girard).      Brown;    a  pale  brown 
dorsal  band;  besides  this  two  narrow  black  streaks  on  each  side  ;  a 
straw-color  lateral   stripe ;    belly  unspotted ;    scales   all   strongly 
keeled;  head  slender;  scales  19  to  21;  V.  P.  160.     L.  20.    Mis- 
sissippi Valley,  N.  to  Mich. 

13 


194  REPTILIA:  OPHIDIA, —  XXVIII. 

278.  TROPIDONOTUS  Kuhl.     (rpoW,  keel ;  V&TOS,  back.) 
a.  Scales  in  23  to  25  rows. 
b.  Rostral  plate  single. 

551.  T.  sipedon  (L.).  WATER  SXAKE.   "  MOCCASIN."   Brown- 
ish, back  and  sides  each  with  a  series  of  large,  square,  dark  blotches 
alternating  with  each  other ;  about  80  in  each  series ;  rarely  uni- 
form brownish  ;  belly  with  brown  blotches.     Scales,  23.     V.  P.  130 
to  150.     L.  30  to  50.     N.   Eng.  to  Kan.  and  S.  ;  very  abundant 
about  streams,  feeding  on  fishes  and  frogs.    Variable  ;  an  unpleasant 
and  ill-tempered,  but  perfectly  harmless  snake.     Prominent  varie- 
ties are  var.  woodhousei  Baird  &  Girard  :  color  of  sipedon,  a  narrow 
whitish  line  between  dorsal  blotches.     Scales  25.     S.  111.  to  Texas. 
Var.  erythrogaster  Shaw,  uniform  red-black  above,  coppery  below  ; 
head  long;   scales  strongly  keeled  ;  Mich,  to  Kan.  and  S. 

552.  T.  fasciatus  (L.).    SOUTHERN  WATER   SNAKE.     Dark 
brown,  with  transverse  black  blotches  on  back  and  about  35  oblong 
red  spots  on  sides ;  back  sometimes  with  broken  rings  of  yellow 
dots;    belly  reddish,  usually  blotched.    Scales  25.     V.  P.   128  to 
135.     S.  Ind.   (Ridgway)  to  Texas  and  S.  E.,  swarming  in  the 
lowland  swamps  S. 

bb.  Rostral  plate  divided  into  two  by  a  vertical  suture. 

553.  T.  bisectus  Cope.     Olive  brown,  a  row  of  small  blackish 
spots  on  side ;  head  and  belly  nearly  plain.    V.  P.  143.     Scales 
25.     One  specimen  from  Washington,  D.  C. 

aa.  Scales  in  27  to  33  rows. 

554.  T.   cyclopium  Dumeril  &  Bibron.     Plumbeous,  with  al- 
ternating blackish  vertical  bars  1  to  1J  scales  wide.     V.  P.  140  to 
150.     Scales  27  to  33.     S.  111.  to  Fla.     (KVKX<O^,  round-eyed.) 

555.  T.  rhombifer  Hallowell.    Brown  with  about  50  black  quad- 
rangular blotches  bordered  by  black  lines.    Scales  27,  all  keeled. 
V.  P.  140  to  145.   Mich,  to  111.  and  S.  W.    (Lat.,  bearing  rhombs.) 

279.  COLUBER  Linnaeus.    (Old  name  of  some  snake.) 
a. .  Body  without  longitudinal  brown  stripes. 
b.  Scales  in  25  to  27  rows, 
c.  Vertical  plate  longer  than  broad. 

556.  C.  guttatus  L.     CORN  SNAKE.     Red  brown  with  a  dorsal 
series  of  large,  red,  dark-edged  blotches;   belly  checkered  with 
black.     Scales  27.     V.  P.  210  to  230.     L.  50.     Va.  and  S.     (Lat., 
spotted.) 

557.  C.  obsoletus  Say.     PILOT  SNAKE.     Lustrous  black,  some 
scales  white-edged ;  belly  slaty-black ;   median  scales  of  back  ob- 
scurely keeled,  the  rest  smooth.     Scales  27.     V.  P.  235.     L.  50  to 
75.     Mass,  to  111.   and  Texas ;  one  of  our  largest  snakes,  often 
climbing  trees  to  a  great  height  by  following  the  depressions  in 


COLUBRID^:.  —  ex.  195 

rough  bark.     Var.  confinis  Baird  &  Girard  is  ashy  gray,  with  45 
dark  chocolate  blotches  on  back,  their  edges  faintly  darker ;  two 
smaller  series  on  side ;  a  dark  band  between  eyes ;  belly  blotched. 
S.  Ind.  (Brookville,  E.  R.  Quick)  to  S.  C.  and  S.  W. 
cc.  Vertical  plate  broader  than  long. 

558.  C.  vulpinus   (Baird  &  Girard).     Fox    SNAKE.     Light 
brown,  with  quadrate,  chocolate-colored  blotches;    vertical  plate 
broader  than  long.     Scales  25.     V.  P.  200  to  210.     L.  60.     Mass, 
to  Kan.  and  N.     (Lat.,  fox-like.) 

bb.  Scales  in  29  rows. 

d.  Vertical  plate  longer  than  broad. 

559.  C.  emoryi  (Baird  &  Girard).     Ashy  gray  with  transverse 
brown  blotches  ;  vertical  plate  elongated ;  6  or  8  median  rows  of 
scales  only  keeled.     Scales  29.     V.  P.  210  to  220.     L.  40  to  50. 
111.  to  Kan.  and  Texas. 

dd.  Vertical  plate  as  broad  as  long. 

560.  C.  lindheimeri  (Baird  &  Girard).     Back  and  sides  with 
black  blotches,  the  interspaces  paler ;   scales  edged  with  white  ; 
greenish  white  below ;  centres  of  shields  slate  color  ;  about  9  rows 
of  scales  obscurely  keeled.     Scales  29.     V.  P.  225  to  235.     S.  111. 
to  Texas. 

aa.  Body  with  4  longitudinal  brown  stripes. 

561.  C.  quadrivittatus  Holbrook.    CHICKEN  SNAKE.    Green- 
ish yellow,  with  two  brownish  stripes  on  each  side;  straw-color 
below.     Scales   27,  only  5  to  8  rows  keeled.     V.  P.  230  to  245. 
Va.  to  Fla.     (Lat.,  four-striped.) 

280.  CYCLOPHIS  Giinther.     (KVK\OS,  ring;  fyis,  snake.) 

562.  C.  aestivus  (L.).     GREEN  SNAKE.     Head  conical,  neck 
very  small ;  bright  clear  green,  yellowish  below.     Scales  1 7.     V.  P. 
150  to  165;  tail  more  than  £  of  body.     L.  30.     Southern  N.  J.  to 
Ind.  and  S.,  abundant  S. ;  a  most  exquisite  little  creature,  often 
climbing  bushes  over  water. 

281.  LIOPELTIS  (Fitzinger)  Cope.     (Xcwp,  smooth ; 
TreX-n;,  shield.) 

563.  L.  vernalis  (DeKay.)     GRASS   SNAKE.    Head  elongate, 
neck  slender;    eyes  very  large;   uniform  deep  green  (bluish  in 
spirits),  yellowish  below;  tail  not  quite  £  of  length.     Scales   15. 
V.  P.   125  to   140.     L.  20.     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  N.  ;    a  beautiful 
species. 

282.  BASCANION  Baird  &  Girard.     (ficuricavos,  malignant.) 

564.  B.  constrictor   (L.).     BLACK  SNAKE.     BLUE  RACER. 
Lustrous  pitch  black,  greenish  below,  chin  and  throat  white ;  young 


196  REPTILIA:   OPHIDIA.  —  XXVIII. 

olive,  with  rhomboid  black  blotches;  body  slender;  eye  very  large. 
Scales  17  (rarely  19).  V.  P.  170  to  190.  L.  50  to  60.  E.  U.  S., 
common  E.  and  S.  (Lat ,  one  that  hugs.) 

283.  PITUOPHIS  Holbrook.    (mns,  pine-tree;  o$ip,  snake.) 

565.  P.  melanoleucua  (Daudin).   PINE  SNAKE.    BULL  SNAKE. 
Whitish,  with  chestnut  brown  blotches  which  are  margined  with 
black,  besides  3  series  of  lateral  blotches.     Scales  29.    V.  P.  220  to 
230.     L.  60.     Pine  woods  ;  N.  J.  to  Mich,  and  S.     (/neXar,  black  ; 
AfvKo?,  white.) 

566.  P.  sayi  (Schlegel).     WESTERN  PINE  SNAKE.     Chestnut 
brown  with  many  orange  cross-blotches  and  spots ;  sides  mottled 
with  black  and  orange.     Scales  25  to  29.     V.  P.  220  to  245.     L. 
40  to  70.     111.  to  Kan.  and  N.  W.     (To  Thomas  Say.) 

284.  DIADOPHIS  Baird  and  Girard.     (8m,  through ; 
ofas,  snake.) 

567.  D.  punctatus  (L.).     RING-NECKED  SNAKE.     Eye  rather 
large.     Blue-black  above,  bright  pale  orange  below  (yellowish  in 
spirits)  ;  each  plate  usually  with  a  black  spot  on  each  side   and 
sometimes  a  median  one  ;  a  very  conspicuous  yellowish  ring  about 
neck,  2  scales  wide.     Scales  15.     V.  P.  140  to  160.     L.  15.     E. 
U.  S.  W.  to  Kan.     Represented  W.  by  var.  amabilis  Baird  &  Girard, 
slender,  with  V.  P.  180  to  185  ;  below  darker  and  more  spotted; 
scales  on  sides  considerably  larger  than  those  on  back.     W.  U.  S., 
E.  to  Ohio. 

568.  D.  arnyi  Kennicott.    Lead  black ;  belly  spotted  and  mottled 
with  black;  occipital  ring  narrow,  \\  scales  wide.     Scales  17.     111. 
to  Ariz. 

285.  OFHIBOLTTS  Baird  &  Girard.     (8<j>iSl  snake;  £oAk,  dart.) 

a    Dorsal  scales  in  21  rows. 
b.  Color  chiefly  black. 

569.  O.   getulus   (L.).    CHAIN   SNAKE.    THUNDER    SNAKE. 
Black  with  narrow  yellowish  lines  forking  on  the  flanks,  each  fork 
embracing  a  large  black  spot ;  belly  checkered.     Scales  21.     V.  P. 
210  to  240.     L.  50.     Va.  to  La.,  E.  of  the  mountains ;  variable. 
Represented  westward  by  var.  sayi  (Holbrook).     KING  SNAKE. 
Lustrous  black,  many  scales  with  a  yellow  spot  in  the  centre,  these 
sometimes  forming  cross-lines  on  back  ;  belly  blotched.     Alleghany 
to  Rocky  Mts.,  abundant,  N.  to  Ills. ;  a  handsome  snake,  said  to 
be  an  enemy  of  the  rattlesnake. 

bb.  Color  red  or  grayish,  with  dark  markings. 

570.  O.    doliatus   (L.).    RED  SNAKE.    CORN   SNAKE.    Red, 
with  twenty  to  twenty-five  pairs  of  black  rings,  each  set  enclosing 


COLUBRIDJ2.  —  CX.  197 

a  yellowish  one  ;  the  lines  of  each  pair  separate  on  sides  and  be- 
come confluent  with  the  nearest  one  of  adjacent  pair;  head  red. 
Scales  21.  V.  P.  180  to  210.  L.  30  to  50.  Md.  to  Kan.  and  S.  ; 
exceedingly  variable,  running  by  degrees  into  the  following  varie- 
ties, extremes  of  which  bear  little  resemblance  to  the  typical 
doliatus.  (Lat.,  sorrowful.) 

Var.  coccineus  Schlegel,  the  black  rings  not  confluent  and  usually 
meeting  on  belly.     S.  111.  to  Fla.  and  W. 

Var.  triangulus  (Boie).  MILK  SNAKE.  HOUSE  SNAKE.  SPOT- 
TED ADDER.  Grayish,  with  three  series  of  brown,  rounded 
blotches  bordered  with  black,  about  fifty  of  them  in  the  dorsal 
row  ;  an  arrow-shaped  occipital  spot  ;  belly  with  square  black 
blotches.  Va.  to  Iowa,  and  N.  ;  very  common. 
aa.  Dorsal  scales  in  25  rows. 

571.  O.  rhombomaculatus  (Holbrook).     Light  chestnut,  back 
and  sides  with  3  series  of  darker  rhomboidal  blotches,  about  50  in 
dorsal  series;  belly  obscurely  blotched.     V.  P.  200  to  205.    111.  to 
N.  C.  and  S. 

572.  O.  calligaster  (Say).     Light  olive  gray,  with  about  sixty 
quadrate,  chestnut  colored,  emarginate  blotches  on  back  and  two 
rows  of  smaller  ones  on  each  side.     111.  to  Kansas  and  S.     (/caXor, 
beautiful  ;  yaor^p,  belly.) 

286.  OSCEOLA  Baird  &  Girard.     (Name  of  an  Indian  chief.) 

573.  O.  elapsoidea  (Holbrook).     SCARLET  SNAKE.    Brilliant 
red,  with  about  18  pairs  of  jet  black  rings  on  body  and  three  on 
tail,  each  pair  enclosing  a  white  ring  ;  the  black  rings  tapering  to- 
wards the  sides,  the  white  ones  spreading  ;  a  yellow  collar  on  upper 
part  of  neck,  bordered  by  black  lines  ;  rostral  plate  very  broad  ; 
resembles  closely  0.  doliatus.     Scales  19.    V.  P,  175  to  180.    L.  20. 
Va.  to  S.  111.  and  S. 


287.  CEMOPHORA  Cope.     (KTJUOS,  muzzle  ;  Qopos,  bearing.) 

574.  C.  coccinea  (Blumenbach).     Crimson,  with  20  to  26  black 
rings  enclosing  yellow  ones;  yellowish  below.     V.  P.  160  to  170. 
S.,  N.  to  S.  Ohio  and  Ark.     (Lat.,  crimson.) 

288.  HETERODON  Beauvais.     (tWpor,  different;  o8o>i>,  tooth.) 
a.  Vertical  plate  in  direct  contact  with  frontals. 

575.  H.  platyrhinus  Latreille     SPREADING  ADDER.     BLOW- 
ING VIPER.     Brownish  or  reddish,  with   about   28   dark  dorsal 
blotches,  besides  lateral  ones  and  half  rings  on  the  tail;  often  (var. 
niger)  uniform  black.     Vertical  plate  longer  than  broad,  about 
equal  to  occipitals.     L.  30.     V.  P.  120  to  150.     Scales  23  or  25. 
E.  U.  S.,  abundant.     A  very  variable  species;  when  angry  it  de- 


198  REPTILIA:   OPHIDIA.  —  XXVIII. 

presses  and  expands  the  head,  hissing  and  threatening,  but  it  is 
perfectly  harmless.     (jr\arvs,  flat ;  pis,  nose.) 
aa.  Vertical  plate  encircled  by  5  to  10  small  plates. 

576.  H.  simus   (L.).     HOG-NOSED    SNAKE.    Dorsal  blotches 
about   35 ;    ground  color  usually  pale  yellowish  brown ;   vertical 
plate  much  longer  than  occipitals,  broader  than  long.     V.  P.  115  to 
150.     Scales  usually  25.     111.  and  Wis.  to  S.  C.,  chiefly  S.     (Lat., 
flat-nosed.) 

FAMILY  CXI.    ELAPIDuE.     (THE  HARLEQUIN  SNAKES.) 

Venomous  snakes,  provided  with  two  or  more  permanently  erect, 
perforated  fangs  in  the  upper  jaw,  and  usually  a  series  of  smaller 
teeth  behind  them ;  scales  not  keeled ;  head  usually  quadrangular, 
with  flat  crown  and  short  muzzle ;  no  loral  plate.  Genera  3,  species 
about  20,  chiefly  East  Indian,  a  few  inhabiting  the  warmer  parts  of 
America. 

a.  Anal  plate  entire;  sub-caudal  plates  two-rowed;  two  nasal  plates;  inter- 
nasal  plate  touching  the  nasal  laterally ELAPS,  289. 

289.  ELAFS  Schneider.    (Old  name  of  some  snake.) 

577.  E.  fulvius  (L.).     BEAD  SNAKE.     Jet  black,  with  about 
17  broad  crimson  rings,  each  bordered  with  yellow,  and   spotted 
below  with  black;  a  yellow  occipital  band  ;  tail  with  yellow  rings. 
V.  P.  200  to  215.     U.  32.     Scales,  15  rows.     L.  30.     Va.  to  Ark. 
and  S.     A  beautiful  snake,  apparently  harmless,  although  provided 
with  venom-fangs.     Resembles  Ophibolus  doliatus.     (Lat.,  reddish- 
yellow.) 

FAMILY  CXII.    CROTALID^E.    (THE  RATTLESNAKES.) 

Maxillary  vertical,  without  solid  teeth,  but  provided  with  long, 
erectile,  perforated  poison-fang  on  each  side  in  front ;  a  deep  pit 
between  eye  and  nostril,  extending  into  the  excavated  maxillary. 
Body  stout ;  head  large,  flat,  triangular,  on  a  slender  neck ;  pupil 
elliptical,  placed  vertically.  Tail  usually  provided  with  a  rattle 
composed  of  horny  rings,  modified  scales.  Subcaudal  plates  gen- 
erally undivided,  at  least  anteriorly.  Scales  keeled,  in  all  our 
species;  anal  plate  entire.  Genera  12;  species  about  60,  all  Ameri- 
can, renowned  for  their  venom.  All  are  viviparous. 

a.  Tail  short,  without  rattle,  ending  in  a  horny  point ;  top  of  head  with  about 
8  symmetrical  plates  arranged  around  the  vertical  plate ;  tail  not  pre- 
hensile  AGKISTRODON,  290. 

aa.  Tail  with  a  rattle. 
b.  Top  of  head  with  about  8  plates  symmetrically  arranged ;  rattle  small. 

SISTKURUS,  291. 
bb.  Top  of  head  covered  with  small  scales;  rattle  large.      CROTALUS,  292. 


CROTALID^E.  —  CXII.  199 

290.  AGKISTRODON  Beauvais.    (ayKurrpov,  hook ;  6de>v,  tooth.) 

a.  Loral  plate  present.    (Agkistrodon.) 

578.  A.  contortrix   (L.).     COPPERHEAD.     COTTON-MOUTH. 
Hazel  brown ;  top  of  head  coppery-red;  back  with  a  series  of  15 
to  25  V-shaped  blotches ;  belly  yellowish,  with  35  to  45  dark  spots 
on  each  side;  loral  plate  present.     Scales  23.     V.  P.  150  to  155. 
L.  40.     ~N.  E.  to  Wis.  and  S.  in  damp  places,  becoming  rare  N. ;  a 
dangerous  reptile.     (Lat.,  one  who  twists.) 

aa.  Loral  plate  wanting.     (  Toxicophis.) 

579.  A.  piscivorus  (Holbrook).    WATER  MOCCASIN.    BLACK 
MOCCASIN.     Greenish  brown  with  20  to  30  dark  vertical  bars, 
often  obscure;  belly  black  and  yellow,  blotched.     Scales  21  to  25. 
V.  P.  138  to  145.     L.  50.     Aquatic,  N.  C.  to  S.  111.,  Ark.  and  S., 
often   resting  on  overhanging  bushes  over  streams  watching  for 
frogs  and  fishes.     The  most  dangerous  of  our  snakes.     (Lat.,  fish- 
eating.) 

291.  SISTRURUS  Garman.     (o-elcrrpov,  rattle ;  ovpd,  tail.) 

580.  S.   catenatus   (Rafinesque).     PRAIRIE    RATTLESNAKE. 
MASSASAUGA.     Brown  or  blackish  with  about  7  series  of  about 
34  deep  chestnut  blotches,  these  blackish  exteriorly  and  edged  with 
yellowish ;  a  yellowish  streak  from  pit  to  neck  ;  body  sometimes  all 
black.     Scales  23  to  25.     V.  P.  135  to  150.     L.  30.     Prairies,  Ohio 
to  Min.  and  S.,  abundant  in  grassy  fields  where  not  exterminated. 
Another   species   (5.   miliarius  L.)  occurs   S.     (Lat.,  forming  a 
chain.) 

292.  CROTALUS  Linnasus.     (Kpo'raAo»>,  rattle.) 
a.  Scales  in  23  to  25  rows. 

581.  C.   horridus   L.      COMMON   RATTLESNAKE.    Yellowish- 
brown  of  various  shades,  with  3  rows  of  confluent  irregular  brown 
spots,  forming  zigzag-shaped  cross-blotches  ;  tail  black  ;  a  pale  line 
from  mouth  to  eye  with  a  dark  patch  below.     V.  P.  165  to  175. 
L.  60.     N.  Eng.  to  Rocky  Mts.  and  S.  in  rocky  places ;  once  com- 
mon, but  nearly  exterminated  in  well-settled  regions. 

aa.  Scales  in  27  to  29  rows. 

582.  C.   adamanteus  Beauvais.      DIAMOND    RATTLESNAKE. 
Brown,   with   3   series   of  complete  brown  yellow-edged  rhombs. 
V.  P.  165  to  180.     Va.  to  Miss,  and  S.     (Lat.,  diamond-like.) 

"  I  only  know  thee  humble,  bold, 
Haughty,  with  miseries  untold, 
And  the  old  curse  that  left  thee  cold, 
And  drove  thee  ever  to  the  sun 
On  blistering  rocks.  .  .  . 


200  REPTILIA:  LACERTILIA. — XXIX. 

Thou  whose  fame 

Searchest  the  grass  with  tongue  of  flame, 
Making  all  creatures  seem  thy  game, 
When  the  whole  woods  before  thee  run, 
Asked  but  —  when  all  is  said  and  done  — 
To  lie,  untrodden,  in  the  sun ! "  —  BRET  HARTE. 

ORDER  XXIX.    L.ACEBTILIA.     (THE  LIZARDS.) 

Reptiles  not  shielded,  with  the  body  usually  covered  with  over- 
lapping scales;  mouth  not  dilatable ;  tongue  free;  jaws  always  with 
teeth.  Limbs  4,  distinct,  rarely  rudimentary  and  hidden  by  the 
skin ;  shoulder  girdle  developed.  Feet  usually  with  5  digits,  the 
phalanges  normally  2,  3,  4,  5,  3,  or  4.  Tail  usually  long  and  in 
many  cases  very  brittle,  readily  broken  by  a  slight  blow;  this  is 
owing  to  a  thin,  unossified,  transverse  septum,  which  traverses 
each  vertebra.  "  The  vertebra  naturally  breaks  with  great  readi- 
ness through  the  plane  of  the  septum,  and  when  such  lizards  are 
seized  by  the  tail,  that  appendage  is  pretty  certain  to  part  at  one 
of  these  weak  points."  (Huxley.)  Vent  a  cross  slit ;  quadrate  bone 
articulated  to  the  skull.  The  great  majority  of  the  numerous  species 
belong  to  tropical  and  sub-tropical  regions.  The  few  found  within 
our  limits  give  but  a  slight  idea  of  the  whole  great  group.  (Lat., 
lacei'ta,  lizard.) 

Families  of  Lacertilia. 

a.  Tongue  covered  with  imbricate,  scale-like  papillae  or  with  oblique  plicae ; 

clavicle  dilated  proximally,  often  loop-shaped. 

b.  Premaxillary  double-,  temporal  fossae  roofed  over  by  bone;  sternal  fon- 

tanelle  usually  wanting;  (tongue  not  deeply  bifid).  .    SCINCID^E,  113. 

bb.  Premaxillary  single;   temporal  fossae   not   roofed;   sternal  fontanelle 

present;  (tongue  deeply  bifid), TEID^E,  114. 

aa.  Tongue  smooth  or  with  villous  papillae;  clavicle  not  dilated  proximally. 
c.  Temporal  fossae  roofed  over  by  bone;  tongue  sheathed  at  tip;  body 
with  osteodermal  plates;  (limbs  obsolete  in  our  species). 

ANGUID^E,  115. 
cc.  Temporal  fossae  not  roofed  over;  tongue  thick;  (limbs  present). 

IGUANID^E,  116. 

FAMILY  CXIIL    SCINCID^E.     (THE  SKINKS.) 

Head  regularly  shielded;  scales  smooth,  underlaid  by  bony  plates ; 
body  fusiform  or  subcylindrical ;  nasal  plate  single,  ungrooved,  the 
nostril  in  the  centre ;  limbs  present ;  toes  compressed,  5-5 ;  head 
usually  without  posterior  vertical  plate.  Genera  about  60;  species 
200;  in  most  parts  of  the  world. 

a.  Palate  with  teeth;  two  supranasal  plates;  ear  large;  its  front  edge  dentate ; 

lower  eye-lid  scaly EUMECES,  293. 

aa.  Palate  toothless;  no  supranasal  plates;  ear  very  large,  circular,  exposed  ; 

lower  eye-lid  with  a  transparent  disk OLIGOSOMA,  294. 


TEHLE.  —  CXIV.  201 


293.  EUMECES  Wiegmann.     (eu/ijj/c^?,  of  good  length.) 

583.  E.  fasciatus  (L.).    BLUE-TAILED  LIZARD.     "SCORPION." 
Blackish  olive,  with  5  yellowish  streaks,  middle  one  forked  on  the 
head  ;    tail  usually  bright  blue  ;  old  specimens  reddish  olive,  the 
stripes  very  faint  or  even  wanting  ;  head  becoming  coppery  red  with 
age.     L.  8  to  11.     U.  S.,  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mts.;  abundant  N.  to 
N.  Ind.  ;  very  variable.     (Lat.,  banded.) 

584.  E.  obsoletus  (Baird  &  Girard).    Greenish  white,  the  scales 
narrowly  edged   with  black.      Parieto-occipital   and  vertical,  the 
largest  plates  on  head.     111.  (Forbes)  to  Sonora. 

585.  E.  anthracirms   (Baird).     Bronze,  with  4  yellow  stripes, 
between  and  below  which  are  coal-black  lines  ;  tail  blue.     Penn.  to 
Texas,  in  mountains.     (Lat.,  coal-black.) 

586.  E.  septentrionalis  (Baird).     Olive,  with  4  dark  stripes 
above  ;  sides  with  2  narrow  white  lines  margined  on  each  side  with 
black.     Minnesota  to  Nebraska.     (Lat.,  northern.) 

294.  OLIGOSOMA  Girard.     (oXi'yos,  small  ;  <ra>/xa,  body.) 

587.  O.   laterale   (Say).     GROUND   LIZARD.     Chestnut  color; 
on  each  side  a  black  lateral  band,  edged  with  white  ;  abdomen  yel- 
lowish ;  tail  blue  below  ;  head  short  ;  limbs  weak  ;  small  and  slender. 
L.  5.     Southern  States,  abundant;  N.  to  S.  Ind. 

FAMILY  CXIV.    TEID^E. 

Tongue  flat,  elongate,  ending  in  2  long,  smooth  points  ;  its  surface 
mostly  covered  with  imbricate  scale-like  papillae  ;  teeth  not  hollow 
at  base  ;  premaxillary  single  ;  shields  of  head  free  from  the  cranial 
ossification  ;  limbs  present,  rarely  rudimentary  ;  clavicle  dilated  and 
perforated  proximally.  Genera  35;  species  about  110;  all  from 
tropical  America. 

a.  Scaly  portion  of  tongue  arrow-headed,  bifid,  and  not  retractile  posteriorly; 
tail  not  compressed  ;  shields  of  head  large,  regular  ;  eyelids  developed  ; 
ear  exposed;  a  double  collar-fold;  scales  small;  ventral  plates  large, 
limbs  developed;  toes  5-5  ........  CNEMIDOPHORUS,  295. 

295.  CNEMIDOPHORUS  Wiegmann.     (/o/jj/uSo^opos,  wearing 
leg-armour.) 

588.  C.  sexlineatus  (L.).     Dusky  brown,  with  3  yellow  streaks 
on  each  side  ;  the  interspaces  jet  black  ;  throat  silvery  ;  belly  blue 
in  breeding  <£.     L.  6  to  9.     Conn,  to  Va.,  Wis.  and  Mexico;  com- 
mon S.  ;  very  active. 

FAMILY  CXV.    ANGUIDJE.    (THE  SLOW  WORMS.) 

Tongue  of  2  parts,  the  posterior  larger,  thick,  covered  with  villi- 
form  papilla3  ;  the  anterior  thin,  emarginate,  covered  with  scales, 


202  REPTILIA:  LACERTILIA. —  XXIX. 

extensible  and  retractile  into  a  sheath  formed  by  a  transverse  fold 
at  anterior  extremity  of  posterior  part,  this  sheath  disappearing 
when  the  tongue  is  drawn  out.  Premaxillary  single ;  dermal  cranial 
ossifications  roofing  over  the  temporal  fossa ;  clavicle  slender ;  limbs 
present  or  absent,  the  shoulder  girdle  and  pelvis  always  present ; 
no  abdominal  ribs ;  bony  plates  underlying  the  scales ;  vertical  plate 
on  head  present.  Genera  7 ;  species  45  ;  in  warm  regions. 
a.  Side  with  a  conspicuous  fold;  limbs  wanting  or  the  hinder  rudimentary; 
body  snake-like,  the  tail  very  brittle  ;  scales  squarish  rhomboidal,  form- 
ing straight  series,  in  either  direction OPHISAURUS,  296. 

296.  OPHISAURUS  Daudin.     (fyis,  snake ;  o-avpos,  lizard.) 

589.  O.  ventralia  (L.).    GLASS  SNAKE.    JOINT-SNAKE.    Green- 
ish or  brownish ;  sides  largely  yellow,  with  narrow  black  streaks. 
Dorsal  scales  in  14  rows  or  120  transverse  series ;  10  rows  on  belly  ; 
scales  on  back  obtusely  keeled,  others  smooth ;  ear  much  larger  than 
nostril.   L.  25.     Wis.  to  Kan.  and  S. 

FAMILY  CXVI.    IGUANID^E.     (THE  IGUANAS.) 

Tongue  thick,  villous,  nearly  or  quite  entirely  fixed  to  the  floor 
of  the  mouth,  and  little  if  at  all  notched  in  front ;  pupil  round ;  eye- 
lids well  developed ;  scales  various,  those  on  head  usually  small ; 
head  generally  with  an  enlarged  interparietal  scale ;  teeth  subequal. 
Habits  various,  mostly  insectivorous.  A  very  large  family  of  50 
genera  and  320  species,  swarming  in  the  hotter  parts  of  America ; 
a  very  few  in  the  East  Indies. 

a.  Femoral  pores  absent;  toes  dilated  or  depressed,  the  distal  joint  narrower, 
cylindrical  or  compressed,  raised  above  the  one  before  it ;  scales  small 
or  granular ;  rf  with  an  inflatable  gular  sac ;  tail  long,  not  prehensile  ; 
lateral  teeth  tricuspid;  no  sternal  fontanelle ;  tympanum  distinct. 

ANOLIS,  297. 

act.  Femoral  pores  present ;  fourth  toe  longer  than  third ;  lateral  teeth  tri- 
cuspid. 

b.  Head  without  spines ;  no  dorsal  crest;  occipital  scale  very  large, 
c.  Gular  folds  2,  the  second  denticulated ;  dorsal  scales  minute,  uniform ; 
caudal  scales  small ;  tympanum  concealed.  .     .    HOLBROOKIA,  298. 
cc.  Gular  folds  none;  tympanum  distinct;  scales  keeled,  equal;  no  crest. 

SCELOPORUS,  299. 

bb.  Head  armed  with  bony  spines;  body  short,  depressed;  a  large  sternal 
fontanelle;  scales  unequal PHRYNOSOMA,  300. 

297.   ANOLIS  Daudin. 

590.  A.  principalis  (L.).    "CHAMELEON."    Grass-green ;  head 
brownish,  the  color  changing  at  times  in  life  to  grayish,  yellowish, 
bronze,  and  black ;  gular  sac  crimson  when  inflated ;  head  scales 
large  and  rough;    scales  of  body  subequal,  keeled.     L.  6.     Pine 
woods,  Tenn.  to  Cuba ;  common  S. ;  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of 
lizards.     (A.  carolinensis  Cuvier.) 


IGUANID^E.  — CXVI. 

298.  HOLBROOKIA  Girard.    (To  Dr.  John  Edwards  Holbrook, 
of  Charleston,  author  of  "  North  American  Herpetology,"  etc.) 

591.  H.  maculata  Girard.     Gray,  paler  above,  with  a  row  of 
large  darker  spots  on  sides ;  1  or  2  black  spots  on  side  of  belly ; 
scales  nearly  smooth ;  hind  leg  not  reaching  eye.     Tenn.  to  Kan. 
and  S.  W. 

299.  SCELOPORUS  Wiegmann.     (<nte\os,  leg;  iropos,  pore.) 

592.  8.  undulatus  (Daudin).      COMMON  LIZARD.      SWIFT. 
Greenish,  bluish,  or  bronzed,  with  black,  wavy  cross-bands  above ; 
throat  and  sides  of  belly  in  g  with  brilliant  blue  and  black ;  dorsal 
scales  rather  large,  strongly  keeled,  mucronate  similar  to  lateral 
scales ;  head  shields  striated  or  rugose  ;  body  depressed ;  tail  slender. 
L.  7.     U.  S.,  in  forests  and  along  fences,  N.  to  Mich. ;  abundant 
S. ;  varies  greatly  in  color. 

300.  PHRYNOSOMA  Wiegmann.    ((frpvvos,  toad ;  <r&>/na,  body.) 

593.  P.  douglassi  (Bell).     Ventral  scales  smooth.    Head  spines 
small,  shorter  than  eye  ;  grayish,  with  large,  dark,  pale-edged  spots. 
Kan.  to  Cal.  and  S. 

594.  P.  cornutum  (Harlan).     COMMON  HORNED  TOAD.     Ven- 
tral scales  keeled  ;  head  with  very  long  spines ;  back  with  spinous 
scales;  gray,  with  pale  dorsal  streak  and  some  dark  spots.     L.  5. 
Kan.  to  Cal.  and  S. ;  common  S.  W.;  a  most  grotesque  little  crea- 
ture;  terrestial.     (Lat.,  horned.) 

ORDER  XXX.    TESTUDINATA.    (THE  TURTLES.) 

Reptiles  with  the  body  enclosed  between  2  more  or  less  developed 
bony  shields,  which  are  usually  covered  by  horny  epidermal  plates, 
but  sometimes  by  a  leathery  skin.  Upper  shield  (carapace) 
and  lower  shield  (plastron)  more  or  less  united  along  the  sides. 
Neck  and  tail  the  only  flexible  parts  of  the  spinal  column;  these, 
together  with  the  legs,  usually  retractile  within  the  box  made  by 
the  two  shields.  The  bony  part  of  the  carapace  is  formed  by  the 
dorsal  and  sacral  vertebrae,  and  the  ribs  co-ossified  with  a  series  of 
overlying  bony  plates,  usually  accompanied  by  a  marginal  row. 
The  dorsal  vertebrae  have  their  ends  flattened  and  immovably 
united  by  cartilage,  and  all  of  them,  except  the  first  and  last,  have 
their  neural  spines  flattened  horizontally  so  as  to  form  the  median 
line  of  plates.  On  either  side  of  this  series  is  a  single  row  of  ossi- 
fied dermal  plates  overlying  the  ribs  and  corresponding  in  number 
to  the  developed  ribs,  of  which  there  are  usually  8  pairs.  No  true 
sternum ;  plastron  consisting  of  membrane  bones,  of  which  there 
are  usually  9  pieces,  —  4  pairs  and  a  single  symmetrical  median 


204  REPTILIA:  TESTUDINATA.  —  XXX. 

piece.    The  osseous  plates,  both  above  and  below,  correspond  neither 
in  number  nor  position  with  the  overlying  dermal  plates. 

The  skull  is  more  compact  than  that  of  the  other  reptiles.  There 
are  no  teeth,  but  the  jaws  are  encased  in  horny  sheaths,  usually 
with  sharp  cutting  edges ;  the  eye  is  furnished  with  two  lids  and  a 
nictitating  membrane  as  in  the  birds ;  the  tympanic  membrane  is 
always  present,  although  sometimes  hidden  by  the  skin.  Respira- 
tion is  effected  by  swallowing  air.  (Lat.,  testudo,  tortoise.) 

Families  of  Testudinata. 

a.  Limbs  developed  as  paddles,  not  capable  of  distinct  movements  at  wrist  or 
ankle-joint ;  digits  flattened,  elongated,  bound  immovably  together  by  the 
integument.    (Sea  Turtles.) 
b.  Feet  scaleless,  the  anterior  very  large.       .     .    DERMOCHELYDID^E,  117. 

bb.  Feet  scaly;  carapace  heart-shaped CHELONIID^E,  118. 

aa.  Limbs  not  in  the  form  of  paddles,  capable  of  movement  at  wrist  and 
ankle-joints.    (Land  and  pond-turtles.) 

c.  Carapace  leathery,  its  margins  flexible;  no  dermal  plates;  toes  5-5, 
the  claws  3-3;  head  small,  the  snout  pointed;  body  very  flat. 

TKIONYCHID/E,  119. 

cc.  Carapace  firm,  ossified ;  dermal  plates  present ;  claws  mostly  5-4. 
d.  Fingers  and  toes  spreading,  not  closely  bound  together,  more  than 

one  joint  being  free. 

e.  Tail  very  long  and  strong,  with  a  crest  of  tubercles ;  plastron  nar- 
row and  small,  cross-shaped,  with  9  plates  (besides  the  bridge) ; 
head  large;  body  highest  in  front.  .    .    .    CHELYDKHXE,  120. 
ee.  Tail  short,  not  crested;  plastron  broad. 

f.  Lower  jaw  ending  in  a  long  sharp  point ;  carapace  highest  be- 
hind the  middle,  its  edge  not  flaring  outward;  plastron  with  9 

or  11  plates KINOSTERNID^:,  121. 

ff.  Lower  jaw  without  long  point  at  symphj'sis ;  carapace  highest 
at  about  the  middle,  its  edge  flaring  outward;  plastron  with  12 

dermal  plates EMYDID.E,  122. 

dd.  Fingers  and  toes  bound  closely  together,  only  the  last  joint  free; 
plastron  very  broad TESTUDINID^E,  123. 

FAMILY  CXVII.  DERMOCHELYDID^.  (THE  LEATHER- 
TURTLES.) 

Sea  turtles  with  the  body  covered  by  a  smooth  leathery  skin ; 
carapace  with  several  longitudinal  ridges  with  deep  grooves  between 
them ;  body  highest  in  front  and  widest  just  before  bridge ;  hind  legs 
much  exposed ;  toes  without  nails ;  head  short,  high,  very  broad 
behind ;  upper  jaw  with  2  pits  and  2  tooth-like  projections.  One 
species,  widely  distributed. 
301.  DERMOCHELYS  Blainville.  (Sep/ia,  skin;  xe'Xvs,  tortoise.) 

595.  D.  coriacea  (Vandelli).  TRUNK-BACK.  LEATHER-TUR- 
TLE. Dark  brown.  L.  6  to  8  feet.  Open  sea,  N.  to  Cape  Ann. 
(Lat.,  leathery.)  (Eu.) 


CHELONIID.E.  —  CXYIII.  205 

FAMILY  CXVIII.     CHELONIIDuE.     (LOGGER-HEAD 

TURTLES.) 

Sea  turtles,  with  the  carapace  covered  with  bony  plates  ;  carapace 
heart-shaped,  broad  and  flat,  highest  in  front,  widest  near  middle  ; 
head  large,  jaws  without  tooth-like  projections.  Genera  4  ;  species 
about  7,  of  the  open  sea,  coming  to  shore  only  to  deposit  and  bury 
their  eggs. 

a.  Scales  around  large  median  plate  on  top  of  head  13  to  20;  plates  of  carapace 
not  imbricate  ;  edge  of  lower  jaw  not  serrate  ;  costal  plates  5  on  each  side  ; 
scales  on  cheeks  small,  15  to  20  ;  head  broad.    .    THALASSOCHELYS,  302. 
aa.  Scales  around  vertical  plate  7;  costal  plates  4. 

6.  Tomia  of  lower  jaw  not  serrate;  shields  of  carapace  imbricated  ;  scales  on 
cheeks  large,  7  to  10;  head  broad  ......    ERETMOCHELYS,  303. 

66.  Tomia  of  lower  jaw  serrate  ;  shields  of  carapace  not  imbricated  ;  scales 
on  cheeks  small,  15  to  20  ;  head  high  and  narrow.   .    CHELONIA,  304. 

302.  THALASSOCHELYS  Fitzinger.     (tfoXacnra,  sea; 
X*'Xvs,  tortoise.) 

596.  T.  caretta  (L.).'  LOGGER-HEAD  TURTLE.  Scales  not 
imbricate  ;  2  nails  to  each  foot.  Atlantic,  N.  to  Mass.  ;  reaches 
450  Ibs.  (Eu.)  (An  old  name.) 


303.  ERETMOCHELYS  Fitzinger.     (eptrpos,  oar  ; 

597.  E.  imbricata  (L.).  TORTOISE-SHELL  TURTLE.  HAWKS- 
BILL  TURTLE.  Jaws  produced  in  a  beak  ;  nails  two.  N.  C.  to 
Brazil.  Smaller  and  fiercer  than  the  preceding,  its  scales  used  in 
making  combs. 


304.  CHELONIA  Brongniart.     (^eXwi^,  tortoise.) 

598.  C.  mydaa  (L.).     GREEN  TURTLE. 
gle  ;  body  oblong.      L.  I.  to  Brazil,  herbivorous,  reaching  850  Ibs., 
and  valued  as  food.     (/u;8aa>,  to  be  wet.) 

FAMILY  CX1X.    TRIONYCHID-^E.     (THE  SOFT-SHELLED 
TURTLES.) 

Body  flat,  nearly  orbicular  ;  carapace  not  completely  ossified,  the 
ribs  projecting  freely  towards  the  outer  extremities  ;  marginal  ossi- 
cles rudimentary  ;  carapace  and  plastron  covered  by  a  thick  leathery 
skin  which  is  flexible  at  the  margins.  Head  long  and  pointed,  with 
a  long,  flexible,  tubular,  pig-like  snout  ;  neck  long.  Feet  broadly 
webbed  ;  toes  long,  5-5,  but  the  claws  only  3-3. 

Aquatic,  carnivorous  and  voracious  ;  species  about  30,  in  both 
hemispheres. 

a.  Nostrils  rather  under  the  tip  of  snout;  nasal  septum  without  an  internal 
longitudinal  ridge  on  each  side;  head  narrow;  edge  of  upper  jaw  serrate 
behind  ...............  ...  AMYDA,  305. 


206  KEPTILIA  :  TESTUDINATA.  —  XXX. 

aa.  Nostrils  terminal,  crescent-shaped ;  a  prominent  longitudinal  ridge  project- 
ing from  each  side  of  septum ;  head  broad ;  edge  of  upper  jaw  entire. 

ASPIDONECTES,  306. 

305.  AMYDA  Agassiz.     (Lat.,  turtle.) 

599.  A.  mutica  (Le  Sueur).     LEATHER-TURTLE.     A  depres- 
sion along  median  line  of  carapace ;  no  spines  nor  tubercles  along 
anterior  margin  nor  on  back.     Olive,  young  spotted  ;  feet  not  mot- 
tled below.     L.  12.     Canada  to  Ohio  R.,  and  N.  W.     (Lat.,  un- 
armed.) 

306.  ASPIDONECTES  Wagler.     (do^rtV,  shield  ;  i/^/crj/r, 

swimmer.) 
a.  Lower  parts  of  body  and  feet  spotted  with  dark. 

600.  A.  spinifer  (Le  Sueur).     COMMON  SOFT-SHELLED  TUR- 
TLE.    Carapace  olive  brown  with  dark  spots ;  head  and  neck  olive 
green  with  light  and  dark  stripes ;  legs  and  feet  mottled  every- 
where with  dark ;  $  with  the  tubercles  on  the  front  of  the  carapace 
smaller  than  in  the  9  >  ^e  body  also  longer  and  the  tail  extending 
considerably  beyond  the  margin  of  the  carapace.     Canada  to  Ky. 
and  Minn.,  abundant.     (Lat.,  spine-bearing.) 

601.  A.  nuchalis  Agassiz.     A  marked  depression  on  either  side 
of  the  blunt  median  keel,  which  is  dilated  and  triangular  anteriorly ; 
spines  and  tubercles  prominent  in    $.     Cumberland  and  Upper 
Tenn.  Rivers. 

aa.  Lower  parts  of  body  and  feet  white. 

602.  A.  ferox  Wagler.     Tubercles  on  shell  largest  in  g  ;  back 
blotched  in  adult ;  young  with  black  spots  and  ocelli  and  with  2  or 
3  concentric  black  marginal  lines.     S.  Ind.  to  Ga.  and  La.     (Lat., 
fierce.)  « 

FAMILY  CXX.    CHELYDRID^J.     (THE  SNAPPING 
TURTLES.) 

Shell  high  in  front,  low  behind  ;  body  heaviest  forward  ;  head  and 
neck  very  large,  the  snout  narrowed  forward;  jaws  strongly  hooked, 
and  very  powerful ;  tail  long,  strong,  with  a  crest  of  horny,  com- 
pressed tubercles ;  plastron  small,  cross-shaped,  with  9  plates  be- 
sides the  very  narrow  bridge.  Claws  5-4,  strong,  the  web  small. 

Large  turtles  of  great  strength  and  voracity,  chiefly  aquatic ;  2 
of  the  3  species  are  American,  the  third  (Platysternum)  is  from 
China. 

a.  Eyes  close  together,  partly  superior;  head  covered  with  soft  skin ;  tail  with 
two  rows  of  moderate  scales  beneath ;  ridges  of  carapace  becoming  obsolete 

with  age ;  jaws  moderately  hooked CHELYDRA,  307. 

aa.  Eyes  distant,  lateral ;  head  very  large,  covered  with  smooth,  symmetrical 
plates ;  tail  with  many  small  imbricate  scales  beneath  j  carapace  with  3 
large  persistent  keels;  jaws  very  strongly  hooked. 

>  MACROCHELYS,  308. 


KINOSTERNID.E.  —  CXXI.  207 


307.  CHELYDRA  Schweigger.     (xeXvs,  turtle  ;  v&op,  water.) 

603.  C.  serpentina  (L.).    COMMON  SNAPPING  TURTLE.    Dusky 
brown  ;  head  with  dark  spots.    L.  25  or  more.    Canada  to  Equador, 
everywhere  abundant  about  water. 

308.  MACROCHELYS  Gray.     (/xctKpo?,  large  ;  ^tXvs.) 

604.  M.  lacertina  (Schweigger).   ALLIGATOR  SNAPPER.   Black- 
ish ;  head  with  many  fleshy  slips.     Gulf  States,  N.  to  Wis.     L.  40 
or  more  ;  "  perhaps  the  most  ferocious,  and,  for  its  size,  the  strong- 
est of  reptiles." 

FAMILY  CXXI.    KINOSTERNID^J.    (THE  Box  TURTLES.) 

Carapace  rather  long  and  narrow,  the  outline  usually  rising 
gradually  from  the  front  to  a  point  beyond  the  centre  of  the  shell, 
then  abruptly  descending  ;  the  bulk  of  the  body  therefore  thrown 
backward  ;  margin  of  the  carapace  turning  downward  and  inward 
rather  than  outward  ;  plastron  proportionally  large,  covered  with  7, 
9  or  11  horny  plates,  the  anterior  pah-  coalescing  into  one;  anterior, 
and  sometimes  also  posterior  lobe  of  plastron,  often  movable  upon 
the  fixed  central  portion  ;  head  pointed  ;  jaws  usually  strong  ;  eyes 
far  forward  ;  limbs  slender  ;  feet  short. 

Turtles  of  small  size,  chiefly  American. 

a.  Plastron  with  its  anterior  and  posterior  lobes  nearly  equal  in  length,  both 
freely  movable  and  capable  of  closing  the  shell  ;  posterior  lobe  emarginate 
behind,  its  angles  rounded  ;  carapace  without  traces  of  keel  in  adult. 

KlNOSTEKNON,  309. 

aa.  Plastron  with  its  posterior  lobe  longer  than  anterior,  truncate  behind,  its 
posterior  angles  not  rounded  ;  lobes  of  plastron  little  movable,  incapable 
of  closing  the  shell;  carapace  more  or  less  keeled,  at  least  when  young; 
head  very  large,  with  strong  jaws  ......  AROMOCHELYS,  310. 

309.  KINOSTERNON  Spix.     (*«/«•>,  to  move  ;  vrepvov,  breast.) 

605.  K.  pennsylvanicum  (Bosc).     MUD  TURTLE.    Shell  dusky 
brown  ;  head  dark,  with  light  dots.     L.  4.     N.  Y.  to  Fla. 

310.  AROMOCHELYS  Gray,     (opoyuz,  odor  ;  XeXvs.) 

606.  A.  odoratus  (Latreille).     MUSK  TURTLE.     STINK-POT. 
Shell  dusky,  clouded,   sometimes  spotted  ;    neck  with  two  yellow 
stripes,  one  from  above  eye,   the  other  from  below  ;    head  very 
large  with  strong  jaws  ;   carapace  with  traces  of  a  keel,  but  the 
plates  not  imbricated  in  the  adult  ;  no  point  at  symphysis  of  upper 
jaw  ;  odor  strong,  musky.    L.  6.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant,  W.  to  N.  111. 
(Rice  &  Davis.) 

607.  A.  carinatus  Gray.     Plates  of  carapace  overlapping  more 
or  less,  each  one  edged  with  black  and  marked  with  radiating  black 
stripes  ;  neck  unstriped  ;  a  point  at  symphysis  of  upper  jaw.     La., 
N.  to  N.  111.     (Rice  &  Davis.) 


208  REPTILIA:  TESTUDINATA.  —  XXX. 

FAMILY  CXXII.    BMYDID^l.     (THE  POND  TURTLES.) 

Carapace  ovate,  broadest  behind,  the  margin  having  a  tendency 
to  flare  outward,  highest  near  the  middle  and  usually  not  strongly 
convex  ;  plastron  covering  the  whole  under  surface,  its  plates  twelve 
in  number  ;  sometimes  the  anterior  lobe  (and  rarely  the  posterior 
also)  movable  on  a  transverse  hinge,  enabling  the  animal  to  com- 
pletely close  the  shell.  Toes  broadly  webbed  in  the  aquatic  species  ; 
scarcely  webbed  in  the  others.  The  pond  turtles  feed  largely  upon 
animals,  but  they  rarely  catch  active  prey.  Most  of  them  will  not 
bite  except  under  much  provocation.  Species  about  80,  widely  dis- 
tributed, inhabiting  marshes,  ponds,  and  the  shores  of  still  streams  ; 
a  few  are  strictly  terrestrial. 

o.  Plastron  without  hinge,  immovably  joined  to  carapace. 
b.  Alveolar  surface  of  jaws  broad  ;  carapace  depressed  ;  toes  short,  broadly 

webbed. 

c.  Alveolar  surface  of  jaws  smooth,  a  deep  groove  in  front;  upper  jaw 
not  notched  in  front;  head  covered  with  soft  skin;  carapace  more  or 
less  keeled  ............    MALACLEMMYS,  311. 

cc.  Alveolar  surface  of  upper  jaw  divided  by  a  longitudinal  ridge  parallel 
to  margin;  upper  jaw  notched  in  front;  head  with  thin  hard  skin; 
carapace  scarcely  keeled  .........    PSEUDEMYS,  312. 

bb.  Alveolar  surface  of  jaws  narrow. 

d.  Carapace  depressed  (never  keeled);  toes  strong,  broadly  webbed,  the 
hind  feet  largest;  alveolar  groove  of  jaws  well  marked,  except  in 
front;  upper  jaw  notched  in  front  .....    CHRYSEMYS,  313. 

dd.  Carapace  considerably  arched;  feet  subequal,  the  toes  narrowly 
webbed  ..............     CHELOPUS,  314. 

aa.  Plastron  with  a  movable  transverse  hinge  across  its  middle  ;  a  movable 
cartilaginous  lateral  suture  uniting  plastron  with  carapace. 

e.  Body  depressed;  plastron  emarginate  behind;  toes  well  webbed. 

EMYS,  315. 

ee.  Body  short  and  high;  plastron  rounded  or  truncate  behind;  toes 
scarcely  webbed  ;  not  aquatic  .......    CISTUDO,  316. 


311.  MALACLEMMYS   Gray.     (/naXaKoy,  soft  ; 
tortoise.) 

a.  Lower  jaw  with  a  spoon-shaped  dilatation  at  tip  ;  inland  turtles.    (Grap- 

temys  Ag.) 
b.  Middle  series  of  plates  on  carapace  scarcely  imbricated. 

608.  M.  geographicus    (Le   Sueur).      MAP  TURTLE.      Dark 
olive  brown  with  greenish  and  yellow  streaks  and  reticulations, 
especially  distinct  on  neck,  legs,  and  edges  of  carapace  ;  plastron 
yellowish  ;  carapace  strongly  notched  behind  and  usually  decidedly 
keeled.     Miss.  Valley,  E.  to  N.  Y.,  common  W. 

bb.  Middle  series  of  dorsal  plates  distinctly  imbricated. 

609.  M.  lesueuri  (Gray).     Similar  to  the  preceding  but  grayer, 
the  markings  on  the  shell  paler,  less  distinct  and  in  larger  pattern  ; 


EMYDID.E.  —  CXXIL  209 

keel  of  carapace  stronger,  each  plate  of  the  vertebral  series  with  a 
blackish  projection  behind,  which  is  more  or  less  imbricated  over 
the  succeeding  plate;  plastron  yellowish,  marbled  with  blackish; 
head,  neck,  and  legs  with  bright  yellow  stripes.  Wis.  to  Ohio  and 
S.  W.,  not  rare.  (To  Charles  Albert  Le  Sueur,  artist  and  nat- 
uralist.) 

aa.  Lower  jaw  without  spoon-shaped  dilatation;  the  cutting  edges  smooth. 
Salt-marsh  turtles.     (Malaclemmys.) 

610.  M.  palustris  (Gmelin).  SALT-MARSH  TURTLE. 
DIAMOND-BACK.  Greenish  or  dark  olive,  rarely  black;  plates, 
both  of  carapace  and  plastron,  usually  with  concentric  dark  stripes; 
shell  smooth  or  with  concentric  grooves.  N.  Y.  to  Texas,  along 
the  coast;  valued  as  food. 


312    FSEUDEMYS  Gray,     fytvdrjs,  false; 

a.  Loose  skin  between  legs  without  scales  ;  ridge  in  alveolar  surface  tubercu- 

late;  young  marked  with  confluent,  lozenge-shaped  figures. 
b.  Jaws  coarsely  serrated  ;  symphysis  of  upper  with  prominent  hook. 

611.  P.  rugosa  (Shaw).     RED-BELLIED  TERRAPIN.     Dusky, 
with  irregular  red  markings  above  ;  marginal  plates  with  much  red  ; 
plastron  red  or  partly  yellowish  ;  head  and  neck  brown,  with  red- 
dish lines  :  variable.     N,  J.  to  Va.     (Lat.,  wrinkled.) 

bb.  Jaws  not  serrated. 

612.  P.  hieroglyphica  (Holbrook).     Shell  smooth,  depressed; 
olive   brown,   variously  marked  with    reticulated   or    concentric 
yellowish  lines;  plastron  yellowish  ;   head  and  neck  with  yellow 
lines  ;  head  small.     N.  Y.  to  Wis.  and  S. 

aa,  Loose  skin  between  legs  not  scaly;  ridge  in  alveolar  surface  not  tubercu- 
lar; edge  of  marginal  plates  notched.    Vertebral  plates  with  length- 
wise bands,  other  scales  with  transverse  bands,  these  growing  obscure 
with  age. 
c.  Carapace  not  keeled. 

613.  P    troosti   (Holbrook).      YELLOW-BELLIED  TERRAPIN. 
Greenish-black,  lateral  plates  with  horn-colored  lines  and  spots  ; 
plastron  dull  yellow,  with  large,  black  blotches  ;  throat  with  green- 
ish stripes  ;  shell  never  keeled.     Miss.  Valley,  N.  to  111. 

614.  P.  elegans  (Wied).    Brown,  with  yellowish  wavy  lines  and 
blotches  ;    a  red  or  yellow  band  on  each  side  of  neck  ;  plastron 
yellow  with  a  dusky  blotch  on  each  plate.     111.  to  Idaho,  and  S. 

cc.  Carapace  strongly  keeled. 

615.  P.  scabra  (L.).    Dark  brown,  with  irregular  yellow  stripes; 
plastron  yellow  with  small  black  blotches  in  front  ;  head  and  neck 
black,  with  yellow  lines  ;  carapace  wrinkled.     Va.  to  Fla.     (Lat., 
rough.) 


210  REPTILIA:  TESTUDINATA.  —  XXX. 


313.  CHRYSEMYS  Gray,     (xpvo-os,  gold  ;  e/tvs.) 

616.  C.  picta  (Hermann).    PAINTED  TURTLE.    MUD  TURTLE. 
Greenish  black  ;    plates  margined  with  paler  ;    marginal  plates 
marked  with  bright  red;   plastron  yellow,  often  blotched  with 
brown.     L.  8.     E.  U.  S.,  one  of  the  most  common  turtles.     (Lat., 
painted.)     Westward  it  gives  place  to  — 

617.  C.  margiuata  (Agassiz).     Plates  of  carapace  alternating 
or  in  quincunx,  the  lateral  rows  out  of  line  with  the  middle  one, 
instead  of  forming  sets  of  three  as  in  the  eastern  form  ;  lateral 
plates  with  strong  concentric  striae.    W.  N.  Y.  and  W.,  common. 
Perhaps  a  variety  of  the  preceding,  but  I  have   seen  no  inter- 
gradations. 

618.  C.  oregonensis  Holbrook.    No  red  markings.     Minn,  to 
Ore. 

314.  CHELOPUS  Rafinesque.     (x«Xvs,  tortoise  ;  nods,  foot.) 

a.  Carapace  usually  more  or  less  keeled  ;  upper  jaw  deeply  notched  and  arched 

downward.    (Chelopus.) 
b.  Head  not  notably  narrower  below  than  above. 

619.  C.  muhlenbergi   (Schweigger).      Brown  with  yellowish 
markings  ;  plastron  black  with  yellowish  blotches  ;  an  orange  spot 
on  each  side  of  neck;  plates  of  back  plain  or  concentrically  grooved. 
L.  4J.  E.  Penn.  and  N.  J. 

bib.  Head  decidedly  narrower  below  than  above. 

620.  C.  insculptus  (Le  Conte).     WOOD  TORTOISE.     Shell  car- 
mated,  its  plates  marked  with  concentric  strise  and  radiating  black 
lines  ;  reddish  brown  ;  plastron  with  a  black  blotch  on  each  plate. 
L.  8.     E.  U.  S.,  E.  of  Ohio,  in  woods  and  fields.     (Lat.,  engraved.) 

era.  Carapace  not  keeled;  upper  jaw  slightly  notched,  its  edge  nearly  straight. 
(Nanemys  Agassiz.) 

621.  C.  guttatus  (Schneider).     SPECKLED  TORTOISE.     Black, 
with  round  orange  spots,  these  spots  rarely  obsolete  ;   plastron 
yellow,  blotched  with  black.     L.  4£.     E.  U.  S.,   W.  to  N.  Ind. 
(Levette),  abundant  E.     (Lat.,  spotted.) 

315.  EMYS  Brongniart.     (e/xv?,  a  mud  turtle.) 

622.  E.    meleagris    (Shaw).     Black;    usually  with  yellowish 
spots;   plastron  yellowish  with  black  blotches;   head  with  yellow 
spots  ;  young  nearly  circular,  and  black.     L.  8.     N.  Y.  to  Wis., 
scarce.     (/zeXeaypi'y,  guinea-fowl.) 

316.  CISTTJDO  Fleming.  (Lat.,  cista,  box.) 

623.  C.  Carolina  (L.).     COMMON  Box  TURTLE.     Colors  very 
variable,  chiefly  blackish  and  yellowish  ;   no  two  alike  in  pattern  ; 
iris  red  in  $  ;  hind  feet  with  4  toes  ;  young  keeled,  the  keel  grow- 


TESTUDLNID.E.  —  CXXIII.  211 

ing  obscure  with  age.  N.  Y.  to  Mo.  and  S.,  in  dry  woods.  Repre- 
sented S.  by  var.  triunguis  (Agassiz).  Hind  feet  mostly  3-toed  ; 
color  pale  yellowish,  with  few  spots.  Southern,  N.  to  Penn. 

624.  C.  ornata  Agassiz.    "  Shell  round,  broad,  flat,  without  keel, 
even  when  young."    Iowa  and  \V. 

FAMILY  CXXIII.     TESTUDINID^J.     (THE  LAND 
TORTOISES.) 

Carapace  strong,  thick,  ovate,  generally  very  convex  and  falling 
off  abruptly  at  both  ends ;  caudal  shields  united  into  one ;  plastron 
very  broad,  covering  the  whole  under  surface,  the  anterior  part 
sometimes  movable  on  a  transverse  hinge.  Legs  and  feet  club- 
shaped;  toes  firmly  bound  together  by  the  integument,  only  the 
blunt  claws  being  exserted. 

Herbivorous  Turtles,  entirely  terrestrial,  inhabiting  the  warmer 
parts  of  both  continents ;  about  20  species  are  known. 

317.  XEROBATBS  Agassiz.     (£»;pos,  dry  ;  ftdrrjs,  walker.) 

625.  X.  polyphemus  (Daudin.)    "  GOPHER  TURTLE."   Brown- 
ish, head  almost  black ;  yellow  below ;  fore  limbs  large  and  strong ; 
hinder  short,  rounded ;  plastron  projecting  forward  beyond  cara- 
pace.    L.  15.     S.  States,  N.  to  N.  C.,  in  pine  barrens;  herbivo- 
rous and  gregarious  ;   burrows  in  the  ground  like  a  wood-chuck. 
(iroXixfrrjfjios,  croaking.) 

Passing  over  the  order  CROCODILIA,  the  highest  in  development 
among  the  recent  reptiles,  an  order  having  no  representatives 
within  our  limits,  we  take  up  next  a  group  originally  an  offshoot 
from  the  Reptilian  series,  but  now,  if  only  living  forms  were  taken 
into  consideration,  one  of  the  most  sharply  defined  of  the  classes  of 
Vertebrata,  the  Birds. 


212  AVES. 


CLASS  H.  — AVES.     (THE  BIRDS.) 

A  Bird  may  be  defined  as  an  air-breathing  vertebrate  with  a 
covering  of  feathers  ;  warm  blood  ;  a  complete  double  circulation  ; 
the  two  anterior  limbs  (wings)  adapted  for  flying  or  swimming,  the 
two  posterior  limbs  (legs)  adapted  for  walking  or  swimming ;  respi- 
ration never  effected  by  gills  or  branchiae,  but,  after  leaving  the  egg, 
by  lungs,  which  are  connected  with  air  cavities  in  various  parts  of 
the  body.  Reproduction  by  eggs,  which  are  fertilized  within  the 
body  and  hatched  externally,  either  by  incubation  or  exposure  to 
the  heat  of  the  sun  ;  the  shell  calcareous,  hard  and  brittle. 

Much  more  might  be  added,  but  the  obvious  character  is  this  : 
All  Birds  have  feathers,  and  no  other  animal  has  feathers,  or,  as 
Stejneger  puts  it,  "  A  bird  is  known  by  its  feathers."  There  is 
probably  no  other  character  of  importance  which  distinguishes 
birds  living  and  extinct  as  a  whole,  from  the  Reptilia. 

The  classification  of  this  group,  as  of  most  others,  is  still  in  an 
unsettled  condition.  Strictly  speaking,  the  existing  members  of 
the  class  are  so  closely  related  that  they  might,  with  propriety,  be 
combined  into  one  order,  which,  by  Professor  Gill,  has  been  named 
EuRHiPiDURjE.  At  present,  however,  the  term  "  order  "  may  be 
applied  to  the  groups  so  designated  below,  without  thereby  imply- 
ing any  structural  differences  such  as  separate  the  "  orders "  of 
Reptiles  or  even  of  Fishes.  The  Eurhipidurce  are  made  a  sub- 
class by  Stejneger,  while  Coues  divides  them  into  two  "  sub-classes," 
the  Ratitce  (Ostriches,  etc.),  and  the  Carinatce.  To  the  Carinatce, 
characterized  by  the  keeled  sternum  and  more  or  less  developed 
wings,  all  American  birds  belong.  (Lat.,  avis,  bird.) 

The  "  orders  "  of  the  Carinate  Birds,  as  now  adopted,  are  rather 
temporary,  pending  investigation  of  certain  groups.  They  are  also 
in  a  degree  conventional,  some  of  them  being  admittedly  unnatural 
in  their  composition,  while  none  of  them  represent  any  such  struc- 
tural differences  or  differences  of  such  long  standing  in  time  as 
those  which  characterize^the  orders  of  Mammals  or  Reptiles,  or  most 
of  the  orders  of  Fishes.  For  reasons  which  have  been  elsewhere 
given,  I  follow  in  this  work  without  exception  the  classification, 
sequence,  and  nomenclature  adopted  by  the  American  Ornitholo- 
gists' Union.  A  system  in  some  respects  more  in  accord  with 


AVES.  213 

modern  investigations  is  outlined  by  Stejneger  in  the  Standard 
Natural  History.  The  following  largely  artificial  key  to  the 
Orders  recognized  by  the  Am.  Orn.  Assoc.  is  partly  arranged  from 
the  key  given  by  Kidgway  (Man.  N.  Am.  Birds). 

Orders  of  Aves. 
A.  STERNUM  KEELED: 


a.  Feet  totipalmate,  the  hind  toe  well  developed  and  all  four  toes  full-webbed  ; 
palate  desmognathous  .........    STEGANOPODES,  XXXIV. 

aa.  Feet  not  totipalmate,  the  hind  toe,  if  present,  not  connected  with  the 

others. 

6.  Feet  palmate,  the  anterior  toes  full-webbed  or  nearly  so  (or  lobate,  with 
the  claws  broad,  nail-like)  (tarsus  not  specially  elongate,  and  the  tibia 
little  if  any  naked  below,  in  our  species). 
c.  Bill  not  lamellate,  its  cutting  edge  entire  ;  schizognathous.     (  Cecomor- 

phce  Huxley,  Stejneger.) 

d.  Legs  inserted  far  behind  the  middle  of  the  body,  which  in  standing 
position  is  more  or  less  erect  ......    PYGOPODES,  XXXI. 

dd.  Legs  not  inserted  far  behind  the  middle  of  the  body,  which  in  a 
standing  position  has  its  axis  nearly  horizontal;  wings  usually 
very  long. 
e.  Nostrils  not  tubular  ........  LONGIPENNES,  XXXII. 

ee.  Nostrils  tubular  .........    TUBINARES,  XXXIII. 

cc.  Bill  lamellate,  its  cutting  edges  serrated  or  fringed. 

ANSERES,  XXXV. 

bb.  Feet  not  palmate  (with  rare  exceptions),  the  toes  cleft,  or  webbed  at 
base  or  on  sides  (full-webbed  only  in  a  few  waders,  with  very  long 
tarsus  and  the  tibia  partly  naked). 

f.  Waders,  tibia  usually  more  or  less  naked  below;  the  tarsus  more 

or  less  elongate. 

g.  Hind  toes  well  developed  and  usually  inserted  on  same  level 
as  anterior  toes,  the  claws  never  excessiveh'  lengthened; 
loral  or  orbital  regions  or  both  naked;  desmognathous. 

HERODIONES,  XXXVI. 

gg.  Hind  toe,  if  present,  small  and  inserted  above  level  of  the 
the  rest  (or  else  size  moderate).    L.  less  than  36  inches;  the 
loral  and  orbital  regions  feathered,  the  middle  claw  not  pec- 
tinate); schizognathous.     (Grallae.) 

h.  Hind  toe  short  and  elevated  (or  if  the  bird  is  less  than 
3  feet  long,  the  hind  toe  almost  on  the  level  of  anterior 
toes)  .........    PALUDICOL^:,  XXXVII. 

hh.  Hind  toe  (if  present)  short  and  distinctly  elevated  (length 
never  more  than  2  feet).     .     .    LIMICOL^E,  XXXVIII. 
jy.  Not  waders;  tibia  mostly  entirely  feathered;  tarsus  not  greatly 
elongate. 

f.  Bill  strongly  hooked,  with  a  distinct  cere  at  base; 

desmognathous. 

/.  Toes  3  in  front;  1  behind,  the  outer  toe  sometimes 
reversible  .......    RAPTORES,  XLT. 

jj.  Toes  2  in  front;  2  behind,  the  outer  toe  perma- 
nently reversed  ......    PSITTACI,  XLII. 


214          AVES:  PYGOPODES.  —  XXXI. 

it.  Bill  not  both  strongly  hooked  and  cered. 

k.  Iliad  toe  short,  decidedly  elevated;  toes  semipalmate;  no  soft  membrane 
about  nostrils;  schizognathous  ......    GALLING,  XXXIX. 

kk.  Hind  toe  little  if  at  all  above  level  of  the  rest  (rarely  absent). 
/.  Nostrils   opening  beneath  a  soft  swollen  cere-  like  membrane;  hind 
claw  short;  doves  ............    COLUMB^E,  XL. 

II.  Nostrils  not  opening  beneath  a  swollen  membrane  or  cere. 
m.  Hind   claw  not  longer    than  the  others;  mostly  desmognathous. 


n.  Wings  not  very  long;  gape  not  very  wide  nor  deeply  cleft.    Feet 
zygodactyle  or  syndactyle.    (Toes  2  in  front,  or  if  3,  then  the 
outer  and  middle  toes  connected  for  at  least  half  their  length 
in  our  species.) 

o.  Tail  feathers  soft;  bill  not  chisel-like.  .     .    COCCYGES,  XLIII. 

oo.  Tail  feathers  stiff  and  pointed;   bill  adapted  for  striking  or 

boring  ..............    PICI,  XLIV. 

nn.  Wings  very  long,  with  10  primaries  (tail  of  10  feathers  and  bill 
fissirostral,  or  else  secondaries  6  and  bill  tenuirostral);  toes  3 
in  front,  1  behind,  the  hinder  a  little  elevated. 

MACROCHIRES,  XLV. 

mm.  Hind  claw  at  least  as  long  as  middle  claw;  toes  always  3  in  front, 
1  behind,  cleft  to  the  base  or  with  the  basal  joints  only  immov- 
ably coherent  ;  palate  segithognathous.  .  .  PASSERES,  XL  VI. 


ORDER  XXXI.    PYGOPODES.     (THE  DIVING  BIRDS.) 

Feet  palmate  or  lobate;  tibia  feathered,  included  in  the  skin 
nearly  to  the  heel-joint,  hence  the  legs  set  far  back,  so  that  the  birds 
are  scarcely  able  to  walk  at  all  on  land ;  hind  toe  small  and  ele- 
vated, or  wanting ;  nostrils  developed ;  bill  horny,  not  lamellate  or 
serrate ;  no  gular  pouch ;  palate  schizognathous  ;  wings  very  short ; 
tail  very  short  or  rudimentary. 

This  is  apparently  not  a  natural  order.  Stejneger  (following 
Huxley)  unites  the  Pygopodes,  Longipennes  and  Tubinares  in  one 
order,  Cecomorphce.  He  remarks  :  "  The  fact  is  that  not  only 
are  the  gulls  very  nearly  related  to  the  auks,  but  their  affinities 
with  the  GrallcB  through  the  plovers  are  unmistakable.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  grebes  seem  to  be  only  distantly  related  to  the  other 
*  Pygopodes '  and  the  puffins  and  albatrosses  similarly  so  to  the 
Longipennes  or  gulls."  The  Pygopodes  are  water  birds,  expert 
divers,  feeding  chiefly  on  fishes,  (irvyfj,  rump ;  irovs,  foot.) 

Families  of  Pygopodes. 

a.  Tail  feathers  wanting;  anterior  toes  lobed,  the  claws  very  broad,  flat, 

rounded  at  tip,  resembling  human  nails PODICIPID^E,  124. 

oa.  Tail  feathers  developed,  but  short. 

b.  Toes  4;  the  hind  toe  present URINATORID^E,  125. 

bb.  Toes  3,  the  hind  toe  wanting ALCIDJR,  126. 


PODICIPID^:.  —  cxxiv.  215 

FAMILY  CXXIV.    PODICIPID^.    (THE  GREBES.) 

Bill  slender,  or  stout ;  lores  naked ;  head  often  with  crests,  ruffs 
or  ear  tufts  in  the  breeding  season.  Under  plumage  dense,  lustrous, 
mostly  white.  Wings  very  short;  tail  rudimentary,  without  dis- 
tinct quills.  Feet  four-toed,  lobate,  the  toes  webbed  at  base  ;  toes 
flattened,  provided  with  flat  claws  resembling  human  nails ;  tarsus 
scutellate,  compressed.  Genera  2 ;  species  about  20 ;  in  all  parts 
of  the  world,  chiefly  about  fresh  waters ;  nest  usually  a  floating 
mat  of  rushes. 

a.  Bill  slender,  straight,  rather  acute ;  its  length  more  than  twice  its  depth 
at  base  ;  head  in  breeding  season  with  conspicuous  crests  or  ruff. 

b.  Neck  nearly  as  long  as  body ^ECHMOPHORUS,  318. 

bb.  Neck  much  shorter  than  body COLTMBUS,  319. 

aa.  Bill  stout,  somewhat  hooked;  its  length  not  quite  twice  its  greatest  depth; 
no  ruff  nor  crest PODILYMBUS,  320. 

318.  JECHMOFHORTTS  Coues.     (alxpn>  spear ;  <f>6pos,  bearing.) 

626.  .2E.  occidentalis  (Lawrence).    WESTERN  GREBE.    Slate- 
color  ;  satin-white  below.    L.  26.    W.  8.    B.  2|.    Minn,  to  Mexico 
and  W. 

319.  COLYMBUS  Linnaeus.     (*6Xv/i/3os,  diver.) 
a.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head.    (Colymbus.) 

627.  C.  holbolli  (Reinhardt).     RED-NECKED  GREBE.    Upper 
parts  brown ;  front  and  sides  of  neck  brownish  red  ;  head  ashy 
gray,  its  top  blackish ;  crests  and  ruffs  not  large ;  below  silvery, 
the  feathers  gray  within.     L.  18.    W.  8.     B.  2.     N.  Am.,  U.  S. 
in  winter.     (To  the  Danish  naturalist,  C.  HolbolL) 

aa.  Bill  much  shorter  than  head.    (Dytes  Kaup.) 

628.  C.  auritusL.    HORNED  GREBE.    Dark  brown ;  head  glossy 
black  in  £  ;    a  buffy   patch   above   and  behind  eye ;    fore-neck, 
breast  and  sides  brownish  red ;  bill  compressed,  deeper  than  wide 
at  base,  black,  tipped  with  yellow  ;  ruffs  very  large,  in  dense  tufts. 
L.  14.     W.  6.     B.  3}.     N.  U.  S.  and  N.     (Eu.)      (Lat.,  having 
large  ears.) 

629.  C.  nigricollis  (Brehm).     EARED  GREBE.     Crest  of  £  in 
the  form  of  a  fan-shaped  patch ;  head,  throat  and  breast  black  in 
$  ;    bill  depressed,  wider  than  deep   at  base.     L.  13.     W.  5£. 
Northern  regions,  the  American  var.  californicus  Heermann  (W. 
U.  S.,  E.  to  111.),  with  inner  webs  of  inner  quills  dusky.     (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  niger,  black  ;  collum,  neck.) 

320.  PODILYMBUS  Lesson.     (Podiceps-Colymbus.) 

630.  P.  podiceps  (L.).  DIEDAPPER.  DAB-CHICK.  HELL-DIVER. 
WATER  WITCH.     PIED-BILLED  GREBE.     Chiefly  brownish  gray  ; 
silvery  ash  below,  spotted  with  dusky  ;  chin  and  throat  black ;  bill 


216  AVES  :   PYGOPODES.  —  XXXI. 

bluish,  with  dark  band ;  young  and  winter  plumage  different,  the 
bill  unmarked,  but  the  bird  resembles  nothing  else.  L.  14.  W.  5. 
B.  1.  Whole  of  America,  abundant.  (Lat.,  podex,  rump ;  pes,  foot.) 

FAMILY  CXXV.    URINATORID^J.     (THE  LOONS.) 

Bill  long,  strong,  tapering,  acute,  wholly  hard;  nostrils  linear. 
Head  densely  and  evenly  feathered,  without  ruffs  or  naked  spaces  ; 
eye  large.  Feet  4-toed,  palmate;  tarsus  reticulate,  strongly  com- 
pressed. Wings  comparatively  long  and  strong;  tail  short  but 
well  developed.  Precocial.  Genus  1 ;  species  5.  Birds  of  large 
size,  with  strong  powers  of  flight,  and  pre-eminent  in  swimming  and 
diving,  but  scarcely  able  to  walk ;  they  are  migratory,  breeding  north- 
ward, but  coming  S.  in  winter ;  the  voice  is  singularly  sharp  and  wild. 

321.  URINATOR  Cuvier. 
a.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe,  without  claw. 

631.  U.  imber  (Gunner).     COMMON  LOON.    DIVER.     Black ; 
breast  and  below  chiefly  white;  head  and  neck  iridescent,  black  in 
summer ;  a  patch  of  white  streaks  on  each  side  of  neck  and  on  the 
throat;  back  with  many  white  spots;    9  duller,  brownish  above, 
without  the  head  markings.     L.  28  to  36.     W.  14.     Ts.  3.     B.  3. 
Northern  Hemisphere;  whole  U.  S.  in  winter.    (Eu.)    (Norwegian 
name.) 

632.  U.  arcticus  (L.).    BLACK-THROATED  LOON.     Similar,  but 
head  and   neck   behind  bluish  or  hoary  gray;  foreneck  purplish 
black,  with  a  crescent  of  white  streaks ;  9  duller.    L.  28.    W.  12£, 
B.  2^.     Northern  hemisphere,  not  common  in  U.  S.     (Eu.} 

aa.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw. 

633.  U.  lumme  (Gunner.)     RED-THROATED  LOON.     Blackish, 
streaked  on  neck,  chiefly  white  below ;  head  and  neck  mostly  bluish 
gray;   throat  with  a  large  chestnut  patch  in  summer;    9    duller. 
L.  27.     W.  11.     B.  2.     Northern  regions,  U.  S.  in  winter.     (Eu.) 
(Norwegian  name.) 

FAMILY  CXXVI.  ALCID^B.  (THE  AUKS.) 
Feet  palmate,  three-toed;  tarsus  reticulate  or  partly  scutellate; 
suffrage  naked ;  claws  ordinary ;  bill  and  nostrils  various ;  tail  per- 
fect, of  few  feathers ;  lores  feathered ;  legs  variable,  set  far  back ; 
color  variable,  the  head  often  with  curly  crests ;  altricial ;  eggs  few. 
Genera  12;  species  about  35,  living  about  rocks  on  rugged  shores 
in  Northern  regions.  Most  of  them  fly  well  and  all  swim  on  or 
under  water  with  equal  ease.  They  feed  chiefly  on  fishes. 

a.  Inner  claw  much  larger  and  more  curved  than  the  others;  corner  of  mouth 
with  a  "  rosette  "  of  thick  naked  skin;  bill  greatly  compressed,  almost  as 
deep  as  long.  (Fraterculince.) 


ALCID^E.  —  CXXVI. 


217 


6.  Eyelids  with  deciduous  appendages ;  no  crests ;  culmen  with  one  curve ; 

covering  of  bill  moulted  in  7  to  9  pieces.     .     .     .    FRATERCULA,  322. 

aa.  Inner  claw  similar  in  size  and  form  to  the  others;  no  rosette  at  corner  of 

mouth. 

b.  Bill  not  very  short,  the  angle  of  chin  much  nearer  nostril  than  tip  of  bill. 

c.  Nostril  exposed,  overhung  by  a  horny  scale  (Phalerince)',  culmen 

straight  till  near  tip,  then  abruptly  decurved.      .      CEPPHUS,  323. 

cc.  Nostril  more  or  less  completely  concealed  by  dense  velvety  feathers. 

(Alcince.) 
d.  Bill  narrow;  neither  mandible  grooved;  tail  rounded,  the  feathers 

not  pointed URIA,  324. 

dd.  Bill  very  deep,  much  compressed,  one  or  both  mandibles  grooved 

in  adult;  tail  graduated,  its  feathers  pointed. 

e.  Wings  well  developed;  bill  (less  than  1£)  much  shorter  than  head. 

ALCA,  325. 
ee.  Wings  rudimentary,  incapable  of  flight;    bill  as  long  as  head 

(about  3) PLAUTUS,  326. 

bb.  Bill  very  short  and  broad,  the  angle  of  chin  nearer  to  tip  of  bill  than  to 
nostril;  culmen  curved.    (Allince) ALLE,  327. 

322.  FRATERCULA  Brisson.    (Lat.,  fraterculus,  little  brother.) 

634.  F.  arctica  (L.).     PUFFIN.     Grooves  of  bill  oblique,  broad 
and  distinct.     Blackish  above ;  a  black  band  across  fore-neck  ; 
white  below.     L.  13.     B.  If.     Arctic,  S.  to  1ST.  J. 

323.  CEPPHUS  Pallas.     (iceirQos,  a  kind  of  petrel.) 
o.  Greater  wing-coverts  white  to  their  extreme  base. 

635.  C.  mandti  (Lichtenstein.)    Blackish,  with  large  white  wing- 
patch;  nearly  white  in  winter.     L.  13.     W.  7.     B.  1.     Arctic, 'S. 
to  N.  J.     (Eu.) 

aa.  Greater  wing-coverts  with  at  least  their  basal  half  black. 

636.  C.  grylle  (L.).     BLACK  GUILLEMOT.     Bill  larger  than  in 
C.  mandti ;  size  and  colors  similar.     Arctic,  S.  to  !N".  J.     (-Sw.) 
(Scandinavian  name.) 

324.  URIA  Brisson.     (ovpia,  a  water-bird.) 
a.  Depth  of  bill  at  angle  of  mouth  less  than  J  culmen. 

637.  U.  troile  (L.).     MURRE.     GUILLEMOT.    Dusky  ;  second- 
aries  white-tipped;   basal   part  of  upper  tomium   dusky.     L.  17. 
W.  8.     B.  If.     N.  Atl.,  S.  to  Mass.     (Eu.)     ("Possibly  to  Troil, 
the  Icelander.") 

aa.  Depth  of  bill  at  angle  more  than  J  culmen. 

638.  U.  lomvia  (L.).      THICK-BILLED   MURRE.     Dusky;  sec- 
ondaries white-tipped  ;  basal  part  of  upper  tomium  thickened  and 
light-colored  in  adult.     L.  16.     W.  8J.   ,B.  l£.     Arctic,  S.  to  N.  J. 
(Eu.)     (Swedish  name.) 

325.  ALCA  Linnseus.     (Lat.,  from  alk  or  auk.) 

639.  A.  torda  L.     RAZOR-BILLED  AUK.     Black;   lower  parts 
and  tips  of  secondaries  white;  snuffy-brown  in  summer.     L.  16£. 


218  AVES  :  LONGIPENNES.  —  XXXII. 

W.  8}.     T.  3J.    B.  1J.    -N.  Atl.,  S.  to  Conn.     (Ew.)     (An  old 
name.) 

326.  PLAUTUS  Brunnich.     (TT\O>S,  swimmer.) 

640.  F,  impennis  (L.).     GREAT   AUK.    Black  above;   lower 
parts  and  tips  of  secondaries  white.     L.  29.     W.  5|.     B.  3j.     N. 
Atl.,  formerly  S.  to  Mass. ;  now  wholly  extinct.     "  His  GRACE,  the 
AUK,  who  lost  the  use  of  his  wings,  and  perished  off  the  earth  in 
consequence."     (Cowes.)     (Lat.,  wingless.) 

327.  AT.T.E  Link.     (Swedish  name.) 

641.  A.  alle  (L.).    DOVEKIE.     Upper  parts  black,  the  second- 
aries tipped  with  white  ;    sooty-brown  in  summer.     L.  8.     W.  4|. 
B.  £.     Arctic,  S.  to  N.  J.     (Eu.) 

ORDER  XXXII.    LONGIPENNES.    (THE  LONG-WINGED 

SWIMMERS.) 

Feet  palmate ;  tibia  feathered ;  legs  inserted  near  the  centre  of 
equilibrium  so  that  the  bird  stands  with  the  axis  of  the  body  nearly 
horizontal ;  hind  toe  small  and  elevated,  sometimes  wanting.     Bill 
usually  long,  horny,  not  serrate  nor  lamellate ;  nostrils  developed,  not 
tubular ;  no  gular  pouch.     Wings  very  long  and  pointed ;  tail  well 
developed.      Palate   schizognathous.     Altricial.     Water  birds,   of 
great  powers  of  flight,  feeding  chiefly  on  fishes. 
a.  Bill  with  the  lower  mandible  not  produced  nor  specially  compressed. 
b.  Covering  of  upper  mandible  in  three  parts,  a  hook  at  tip,  a  sort  of  cere 
overhanging  nostrils,  and  a  lateral  piece.     .    .    STERCORARIID^E,  127. 
bb.  Covering  of  upper  mandible  of  a  single  piece  pierced  by  the  nostrils. 

LARID^E,  128. 

aa.  Bill  with  the  lower  mandible  much  longer  than  upper,  the  terminal  part 
of  both  mandibles  much  compressed,  like  a  knife-blade. 

KHYNCHOPIDJS,  129. 

FAMILY  CXXVII.     STBRCORARIID^I.    (THE  XEGERS.) 

Gull-like  birds,  with  the  bill  hooked  and  "  cered ; "  tail  square, 
with  the  middle  pair  of  feathers  long-exserted ;  tibia  naked  below ; 
tarsus  scutellate  in  front,  granular  behind.  Two  genera  with  4 
species,  "marine  Raptores,"  large,  vigorous,  rapacious,  living  by 
robbing  the  terns  and  smaller  gulls. 

a.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  at  least  half  length  of  upper  mandible  (measured  along 
side);  tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  tail  short,  nearly  even. 

MEGALKSTRIS,  328. 

aa.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  not  half  length  of  upper  mandible;  tarsus  longer 
than  middle  toe  and  claw ;  middle  tail  feathers  (in  adult)  very  long. 

STKRCORARIUS,  329. 
328.  MEGALESTRIS  Bonaparte.   (j*eyas,  large ;  Xgorpfc,  pirate.) 

642.  M.  skua  (Brunnich).     SKUA  GULL.     Grayish-brown,     L. 
22.     W.  16.     B.  2,    N.  Atl.,  rarely  S.  to  Mass.     (Eu.)     (Fseroese 
name.) 


L  ARID^E  —  CXXVIII.  219 

329.  STERCORARIUS  Brisson.     (Lat,  scavenger.) 

643.  S.  pomarinus  (Temminck).    POMARINE  JAEGER.    Chiefly 
blackish,  colors  varying  with  age;  middle  tail  feathers  broad  to 
the  tip,  projecting  about  4  inches.     L.  20.     W.  15.     T.  9.     B.  l£. 
Arctic,  S.  in  winter  to  N.  J.     (Eu.)     (TTCO/ZO,  flap ;  pis,  nose.) 

644.  S.  parasiticus  (L.).     PARASITIC  JAEGER.     Dark  brown; 
middle  tail  feathers  acuminate,  projecting  4  inches.     L.  20.    W. 
13.     T.  5£.     B.  1J.     Arctic,  S.  in  winter  to  N".  Y.     (#w.) 

645.  S.  longicaudus  (Vieillot).    LONG-TAILED  JAEGER.    Sooty 
black;  tail  feathers  filamentous,  projecting  8  or  10  inches.    L.  22. 
W.  12.     T.  13.     B.  l£.     Arctic,  S.  in  winter.     (Eu.) 

FAMILY  CXXYIII.     LARID-ffi.    (THE  GULLS.) 

Long-winged  swimmers,  with  the  nostrils  not  tubular.  Bill  usu- 
ally long,  horny,  not  serrate  nor  lamellate ;  nostrils  developed ;  no 
gular  pouch.  Feet  palmate ;  tibia  feathered  ;  legs  near  centre  of 
equilibrium ;  hind  toe  elevated,  small,  often  wanting.  Wings  very 
long  and  pointed.  Tail  well  developed.  General  color  usually 
white,  with  a  darker  mantle  of  a  pearly  bluish  tint,  and  commonly 
with  some  black  markings.  Sexes  alike  in  color,  but  the  plumage 
varying  much  with  age  and  season.  Genera  about  12;  species  90  ; 
abounding  about  all  large  bodies  of  water,  and  of  remarkable 
power  of  flight.  Altricial;  food  chiefly  fishes. 

a.  Bill  more  or  less  hooked  ;  (general  color  chiefly  white,  with  a  darker, 
bluish,  grayish,  or  slaty  mantle) ;  gulls.     (Larince.) 

b.  Tarsus  rough  or  serrate  behind ;  tail  even GAVIA,  330. 

bb.  Tarsus  nearly  entire  behind. 
c.  Hind  toe  rudimentary  or  wanting,  with  minute  claw  or  none;  tail 

slightly  emarginate RISSA,  331. 

cc.  Hind  toe  small,  but  with  a  perfect  claw. 

d.  Tail  even LARUS,  332. 

dd.  Tail  forked XEMA,  333. 

aa.  Bill  not  hooked,  the  mandibles  even;  tail  deeply  forked  (in  our  species). 

(Sternince.) 

e.  Tail  much  more  than  |  wing,  its  outer  feathers  narrow  and  pointed;  toes 
well  webbed.  (Color  chiefly  white,  with  a  black  cap  in  full  plumage, 
and  the  quills  dusky  with  a  long  white  stripe.) 

f.  Bill  stout,  its  depth  at  base  equal  to  J  culmen.      GELOCHELIDON,  334. 

ff.  Bill  slender,  its  depth  at  base  not  \  its  length.   .     .    .    STERNA,  335. 

ee.  Tail  little  more  than  J  wing,  its  outer  feathers  broad  and  rounded; 

toes  scant-webbed;  colors  dark HYDROCHELIDON,  336. 

330.  GAVIA  Boie. 

646.  G.  alba  (Gunner).     IVORY  GULL.      Adults  pure  white; 
young  spotted;  feet  black.     L.  16  to  20.     W.  13.     B.  l£.     Arctic, 
rarely  to  U.  S.,  in  winter.     (.£?«.) 


220  AVES:  LONGIPENNES.  —  XXXII. 

331.  RISSA  Leach.     (Icelandic  name.) 

647.  R.  tridactyla  (L.).     KITTIWAKE  GULL.     Mantle  bluish- 
gray ;  head,  etc.,  white;  bind  claw  a  minute  knob,  sometimes  ab- 
sent.   L.  16  to  18.    W.  12.     Arctic,  S.  in  winter  to  N.  Y.     (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  tres,  three  ;  dactyius,  digit.) 

332.  LARUS  Linnaeus,     (\dpos,  gull.) 

a.  Head  entirely  white  in  adult  in  summer  (young  more  or  less  dusky  on 
head,  etc.) ;  mantle  grayish  blue,  or  dusky ;  lower  parts  white.     (Larus.) 
b.  Primaries,  without  any  black,  pearly-gray,  whitish  at  tip. 

648.  L.  glaucus  Brimnich.     ICE  GULL.    BURGOMASTER.     Bill 
yellow  with  red  spot  on  lower  mandible;  large.     L.  30.     W.  18. 
T.   8.    B.    2£.     Arctic  regions;   S.   in  winter  to  N.  Y.     (Eu.) 
(yXavKos,  bluish.) 

649.  L.  leucopterus  Faber.      ICELAND   GULL.      Similar  but 
smaller.     L.  25.     W.  15£.     T.  6J.     B.  If.     Same  region.     (Eu.) 
(\€VKOS,  white;  irrcpov,  wing.) 

bb.  Primaries  with  white  and  dusky  (sometimes  all  black  in  young). 
c.  Dark  spaces  on  primaries  gray. 

650.  L.  kumlieni  Brewster.     Similar  to  L.  leucopterus.     L.  24. 
W.  16.     B.  If.     Greenland  to  K  Y.     (To  Ludwig  Kumlien.) 

cc.  Dark  spaces  on  primaries  black. 
d.  Shafts  of  primaries  white  throughout. 

651.  L.  marinus  L.     GREAT  BLACK-BACKED  GULL.     Mantle 
blackish  slate  color;  largest  of  our  gulls.     L.  30.     W.  18.     B.  2£. 
Feet  flesh-colored.     N.  Atl.,  S.  in  winter  to  N.  Y.     (Eu.) 

dd.  Shafts  of  primaries  black  in  the  black  markings. 

652.  L.  argentatus  Briinnich.  HERRING  GULL.   COMMON  GULL. 
Mantle  pearly-gray  ;  bill  plain.    L.  25.    W.  1 7.    B.  2£.    Feet  flesh- 
colored.     Northern  regions,  abundant  on  all  bodies  of  water.    The 
American  form  (var.  smithsonianus  Coues)  has  the  white  of  outer 
quill  separated  from  the  rest  by  a  band  of  black.     (Eu.) 

653.  L.    delawarensis  Ord.      RING-BILLED    GULL.      Mantle 
pearly-gray ;   feet  yellowish ;   bill  yellowish,  a  black  band  at  the 
tip  in  adult;  smaller.    L.  20.    W.  15.     B.  If.     K  Am.,  abundant, 
S.  to  Mex. 

aa.  Head  black  or  dusky  in  adult  in  summer  (more  or  less  pale  in  young) ; 
mantle  gray;  lower  parts,  etc.,  white,  rosy  in  breeding  season.   (Chrce- 
cocephalus  Eyton. ) 
e.  Tarsus  much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

654.  L.  atricilla  (L.).    BLACK-HEADED  OR  LAUGHING  GULL. 
Bill  and  feet  dusky;  reddish  in  summer.     L.  15  to  17.    W.  13.     T. 
5.    B.  If.     E.  U.  S.,  coastwise.     (Lat.,  ater,  black;  cilia,  tail.) 

ee.  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 


LAKID^E.  —  CXXVIII.  221 

655.  L.  franklini  Swainson  &  Richardson.    FRANKLIN'S  ROSY 
GULL.     Bill  and  feet  carmine ;  bill  usually  with  a  dark  band  near 
tip;  medium.     L.  14£.    W.  11.    B.  l£.     U.  S.,  chiefly  W.  of  the 
Miss.  R.     (To  Sir  John  Franklin.) 

656.  L.  Philadelphia  Ord.     BONAPARTE'S  GULL.     Bill  black, 
slender,  tern-like;  small.    L.  13.    W.  10.    B.  \\.    N.  Am.,  abundant. 

333.  XEMA  Leach.     (A  coined  word.) 

657.  X.  sabinei  (Sabine).    FORKED-TAIL  GULL.    Largely  white, 
a  black  hood  and  collar.     L.  14.     W.  11.     Arctic,  S.  in  winter 
to  N.  Y.     (To  Edward  Sabine.) 

334.  GELOCHELIDON  Brehm.     (yeXaco,  to  laugh ;   xeXt&oi', 
swallow.) 

658.  G.  nilotica   (Hasselquist) .      GULL-BILLED  TERN.     Bill 
black,  very  short  and  stout ;  head  black  ;  mantle  pearly-gray.     L. 
15.     W.  12.     Atlantic,  N.  to  Mass.     (Eu.) 

335.  STERNA  Linnaeus.     (Eng.  tern,  or  sterne.) 
a.  Wing  more  than  9. 
b.  Wing  more  than  12. 

c.  Tail  much  less  than  half  wing,  not  deeply  forked ;  occipital  feathers 

short.     (Thalasseus  Boie.) 

659.  S.  tschegrava  Lepechin.    CASPIAN  TERN.   Primaries  with- 
out white  band ;  bill  red.     L.  22.    W.  1 7.    T.  6.     B.  3.    Northern 
regions  ;  scarce  in  Amer.,  much  the  largest  of  the  terns.     (En.) 

cc.  Tail  more  than  one  half  wing,  forked  half  its  length  ;  occiput  crested. 
(Actochelidon  Kaup.) 

660.  S.  maxima  Boddaert.     ROYAL  TERN.     Bill  orange.    L. 
18  to  21.     W.  15.     T.  8.     B.  2J.     U.  S. 

661.  S.  sandvicensis  Latham.    SANDWICH  TERN.    Bill  black, 
yellow  at  tip.     L.  16.     W.  12J.     T.  6.     B.  2J.     Atlantic,  N.  to 
Mass.,  rare.     (Eu.)    Ours  is  var.  acuflavidus  Cabot. 

bb.  Wing  less  than  12  ;  tail  deeply  forked ;  no  crest;  mantle  bluish-gray, 
the  tail  chiefly  white;  inner  webs  of  quills  largely  white.     (Sterna.) 

d.  Top  of  head  black  in  summer. 

e.  Outer  tail-feather  with  the  inner  web  dusky,  the  outer  web  white. 

662.  S.  forsteri  Nuttall.    FORSTER'S  TERN.    Larger  than  next, 
tail  longer  and  wings  shorter;  bill  and  feet  orange  in  adult.    L.  15. 
W.  10.     T.   7.     B.  1J.     N.  Am.,  common.     (To  John  Reinhold 
Forster.) 

ee.  Outer  tail-feather  with  inner  web  white;  outer  web  dusky. 

663.  S.  hirundo  L.     COMMON  TERN.     Bill  red,  blackening  to- 
wards tip;  feet  orange.     L.  14£  (13  to  16).     W.  10  (9£  to  nf). 
T.  6  (5  to  7).     B.  1%.    Atlantic  coasts,  abundant.     (Eu.)  (Lat., 
Jtirundo,  swallow.) 


222  AVES:  TUBINARES.  —  XXXIII. 

664.  5.  paradisaea  Briinnich.      ARCTIC  TERN.     Bill  carmine 
throughout;   plumage  as  in  hirundo,  but  darker  below.     L.  14  to 
17.     W.  10  to  11.     T.  7  to  8.     B.  ij.     Smaller  than  hirundo,  but 
tail  proportionally  much  longer.     Arctic,  S.  to  N.  Y.     (Eu.) 

eee.  Outer  tail-feather  with  both  webs  white. 

665.  S.  dougalli  Montagu.    ROSEATE  TERN.     Bill  black,  usu- 
ally orange  at  base  below;  mantle  very  pale;  rosy-tinted  below  in 
breeding  season.     L.  14  to  1  7.    W.  9£.    T.  5  to  8.     B.  l£.    Atlan- 
tic coast.     (Eu)     (To  Dr.  McDougall,  of  Scotland.) 

aa.  Wing  less  than  7;  tail  deeply  forked,  about  half  wing.    (Sternula  Boie.) 

666.  S.  antillarum  Lesson.     LEAST  TERN.     Bill  yellow,  usually 
tipped  with  black  ;  a  white  frontal  crescent  between  cap  and  bill  ; 
shafts  of  two  or  more  outer  primaries  black  above  ;   mantle  pale 
gray;  very  small.     L.  8  or  9.     W.  6J.     T.  3£.     B.  l£.     E.  U.  S., 
chiefly  abundant  coastwise. 

336.  HYDROCHELIDON  Boie.    ({J&op,  water  ;  ^eXtSwi/,  swallow.) 

667.  H.  nigra  (L.).    BLACK  TERN.    Head,  neck  and  under  parts 
black  (in  full  plumage)  ;  wings  and  tail  above  dark  like  the  back  ; 
crissum  white.     L.  10.     W.  8.     T.  SJ.     B.  1^.     N.  Am.,  chiefly 
inland.     (Eu.}     The   American  var.    surinamensis   (Gmelin)   is 
darker  than  the  European  form. 

FAMILY  CXXIX.    RHYNCHOPID^l.     (THE  SKIMMERS.) 

Gulls  with  the  lower  mandible  much  longer  than  the  upper,  com- 
pressed like  a  knife-blade  ;  its  two  sides  completely  soldered  to- 
gether ;  the  upper  edge  as  sharp  as  the  lower,  and  fitting  in  a 
groove  in  upper  mandible;  tip  of  bill  obtuse;  upper  jaw  com- 
pressed, movable  at  base  ;  tongue  very  short,  stumpy.  Wings  very 
long.  Otherwise  similar  to  the  terns.  One  genus,  with  3  species. 


337.  RHYNCHOFS  Linnaeus.     (puyxos,  beak  ;  oty,  face.) 

668.  R.  nigra  L.  BLACK  SWIMMER.  CUTWATER.  Glossy 
black  ;  white  below  ;  lower  mandible  about  an  inch  longer  than 
upper.  L.  17  to  20.  W.  15.  T.  5,  sharply  forked.  B.  24. 
Tropical  Amer.,  N".  to  N.  J.,  abundant  southward. 

ORDER  XXXIII.     TUBINARES.     (THE  TUBE-NOSED 
SWIMMERS.) 

Nostrils  tubular;  bill  with  the  upper  mandible  hooked,  its  cover- 
ing composed  of  several  pieces  separated  by  deep  grooves.  Other- 
wise essentially  like  the  Longipennes  so  far  as  external  characters 
are  concerned. 

o.  Nostrils  united  in  a  double  tube,  placed  horizontally  on  the  culmen. 

PKOCELLARIID^E,  130. 


PROCELLARIID.E.  —  CXXX.  223 

FAMILY  CXXX.    PROCELLARIID^J.    (THE  PETRELS.) 

Nostrils  tubular,  united  together  in  a  double  tube  placed  hori- 
zontally. Bill  hooked  at  tip,  its  covering  not  continuous,  consisting 
of  several  horny  pieces  separated  by  deep  grooves ;  hind  toe  minute 
or  absent.  Wings  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  moderate  ;  feet  short,  the 
front  toes  full-webbed.  Plumage  compact  and  oily,  not  varying 
much  with  sex,  age  or  season.  Gregarious  sea-birds,  mostly  silent, 
with  remarkable  powers  of  flight,  rarely  landing  except  to  lay  their 
eggs.  Genera  about  12  ;  species  about  70.  Closely  allied  to  the 
Petrels  are  the  Albatrosses  (Diomedeidce),  huge  sea-birds  with  the 
nostrils  disconnected,  not  united  in  a  horizontal  "  double-barrelled 
tube."  These  families  together  constitute  the  order  or  suborder  of 
"  Tubinares." 

a.  Secondaries  13  or  more  in  number. 
b.  Wing  long  (more  than  7). 

c.  Partition  between  nostrils  very  thin  (much  narrower  than  nostril). 
d.  Gonys  very  slightly  if  at  all  concave,  shorter  than  nasal  tubes. 

FULMARUS,  338. 
dd.  Gonys  very  strongly  concave,  longer  than  nasal  tubes. 

^ESTRELATA,  340. 

cc.  Partition  between  nostrils  very  thick,  as  wide  as  nostril;   nostrils 

visible  from  above PUFFISUSJ  339. 

66.  Wings  shorter  (less  than  7). 

e.  Tail  even  or  slightly  rounded PROCELLARIA,  341. 

ee.  Tail  slightly  forked OCEANODROMA,  342. 

aa.  Secondaries  10;  tarsus  not  scutellate;  legs  long;  claws  narrow,  pointed. 

OCEANITES,  343. 

338.  FULMARUS  Leach.     (Eng.  fulmar.) 

669.  F.  glacialis  (L.).    FULMAR.    Bill  stout,  nearly  half  as  deep 
as  long  ;  nasal  tubes  dusky.      Color  bluish  gray  or  dusky.      L.  18. 
W.  12.   B.  Ij.    The  American  bird  (var.  minor  Kjasrb.)  considerably 
smaller.    N.  Atl.,  S.  to  Mass.     (Eu.) 

339.  PUFFINUS  Brisson.     (Eng.,  puffin.) 
a.  Dusky  above ;  white  below. 

6.  Wing  more  than  12. 

670.  P.  borealis  Cory.     White  of  throat  shading  gradually  into 
dusky  of  head  and  neck.     L.  21.     W.  14.     B.  2£.     Off  Mass. 

671.  P.  major  Faber.     GREATER  SHEARWATER.     White  of 
throat  separated  rather  abruptly  from  dusky  of  head  and  neck  ; 
rump  with  white.     L.  20.     W.  12.     B.  1$.      Atlantic,  abundant. 

(A*) 

bb.  Wing  less  than  10. 

672.  P.  auduboni  Finsch.    Crissum  with  dusky.     L.  11.    W.  8. 
T.  3£.     B.  l£.    Tropics,  N.  to  N.  J.     (To  John  James  Audubon.) 
aa.  Duskv  below  as  well  as  above. 


224  AYES  :   STEGANOPODES.  —  XXXIV. 

673.  P.   Strickland!   Kidgway.     SOOTY   SHEARWATER.      Bill 
dusky.     L.  16.     W.  12.     B.  If.     Atlantic,  1ST.  to  Grand  Banks. 
(To  Hugh  Strickland.) 

340.  .S13TRELATA  Bonaparte.     (oiorp^Xaros,  goaded  on  by  a 
gad-fly.) 

674.  JE.  heesitata  (Kuhl).    BLACK-CAPPED  PETREL.    Upper  tail- 
coverts  and  lower  parts  white ;  upper  parts  mostly  blackish  ;  tail 
graduated.     L.  16.     W.  11.     T.  5.    B.  1J.    Atlantic,  N.  to  N.  Y., 
scarce.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  hcesitatus,  stuck-fast,  the  describer  being  in 
doubt.) 

341.  PROCELLARIA  Linnseus.     (Lat.,  stormy.) 

675.  P.  pelagica  L.     STORM  PETREL.     Dusky;  upper  tail  cov- 
erts white,  edged  with  black.      L.  5f .     W.  4|.     T.  2£.      N.  Atl., 
rarely  S.     (Eu.} 

342.  OCEANODROMA  Reichenbach.     ('Queavos  ocean  ;  dpopos, 
running.) 

676.  O.  leucorhoa  Vieillot.      LEACH'S  PETREL.     Sooty,  upper 
tail  coverts  white;  feet  black.     L.  8.     W.  6£.     T.  4.     Northern 
Seas.     (Eu.}     (AevKoy,  white ;  oppos,  rump.) 

343.  OCEANITES  Keyserling  &  Blasius.     (ureai/cn^,  a  son  of 
the   sea.) 

677.  O.  oceanicus  (Kuhl).    WILSON'S  PETREL.     Sooty;  wings 
and  tail  black ;   upper  tail  coverts  white.     L.  7.     W.  6.      T.  5. 
Tarsus  1^.     Cosmopolitan,  common.     (Eu.} 

ORDER  XXXIV.    STEGANOPODES.   (THE  TOTIPALMATE 

BIRDS.) 

Desmognathous  swimmers  with  all  four  toes  full-webbed ;  hind 
toe  lengthened,  scarcely  elevated ;  tibia  feathered ;  bill  horny,  not 
lamellate ;  nostrils  very  small  or  abortive ;  no  basipterygoids  ;  a 
prominent  gular  pouch ;  tarsus  reticulate.  Altricial.  "  Notwith- 
standing the  shortness  of  the  legs  and  the  character  of  the  toes, 
.  .  .  the  birds  of  the  present  order  are  unquestionably  nearly  re- 
lated to  the  Herodii "  (Stejneger).  Of  this  small  order,  most  of  the 
species  are  sea-birds,  active  and  voracious,  about  half  of  all  being 
cormorants,  (orreyavos,  covered  ;  TTOVS,  foot.) 

Families  of  Steganopodes. 

a.  Upper  mandible  not  hooked  at  tip. 
b.  Bill  very  thick  through  base,  the  tip  slightly  curved;   tail  moderate, 

graduated,  the  feathers  rather  pointed SULID^E,  131. 

bb.  Bill  slender,  nearly  straight;  neck  very  long  and  slender;  tail  long, 
fan-shaped  when  spread,  the  feathers  very  broad.     ANHINGID^E,  132. 
aa.  Upper  mandible  hooked  at  tip. 


SULIDjE.  —  CXXXI.  225 

c.  Tarsus  moderate,  much  longer  than  hind  toe  with  claw. 
d.  Bill  compressed;  gular  sac  small.  .    .    PHALACROCORACID^E,  133. 
dd.  Bill  much  flattened ;  gular  sac  very  large.      .    PELECANID^E,  134. 
cc.  Tarsus  extremely  short,  not  longer  than  hind  toe  with  claw;  wings 
and  tail  excessively  long,  the  latter  deeply  forked. 

FREGATID^B,  135. 

FAMILY  CXXXI.     SULIDJ3-    (THE  GANNETS.) 

Bill  long,  cleft  to  beyond  eyes,  very  stout  at  base,  the  tip  not 
hooked,  the  tomia  irregularly  serrate  ;  a  nasal  groove,  but  the  nos- 
tril abortive ;  gular  sac  small,  naked ;  wings  long,  pointed ;  tail 
long  and  stiff,  with  pointed  feathers ;  feet  stout.  Body  heavy, 
similar  to  that  of  a  goose,  the  tissues  under  the  skin  with  air- 
chambers  as  in  the  Pelicans.  One  genus  with  5  or  6  species. 
Gregarious  sea-birds,  found  in  most  regions. 

344.  SULA  Brisson.     (French,  Stife.)  , 

a.  Lower  jaw,  chin  and  throat  densely  feathered.    (Dyspoi-us.) 

678.  S.  bassana  L.    GANNET.    White,  black  on  wings  ;  yellow- 
ish on  head  ;  young  dark  brown,  spotted.     L.  36.     W.  20.     T.  10. 
B.  6.     N.  Atl.,  S.  to  Florida,  common  N.     (Eu.)     (From  Bass 
Hock,  Eng.,  where  Gannets  breed.) 

FAMILY  CXXXII.    ANHINGID^E-     (THE  DARTERS.) 

Bill  very  long,  straight,  slender,  sharp,  the  tomia  finely  serrate ; 
gular  sac  small,  naked ;  nostrils  minute,  becoming  obsolete  ;  tail  long, 
stiff,  fan-shaped,  when  spread,  the  feathers  broad,  the  middle  pair 
in  the  adult  transversely  corrugated.  Neck  long,  very  slender,  the 
vertebrae  (20  in  number)  of  peculiar  structure ;  feet  short,  far 
back.  A  single  genus,  with  3  or  4  species ;  swift,  wary  birds,  their 
movements  in  the  water  resembling  those  of  a  snake. 

345.  ANHINGA  Brisson.    (Port.,  anhina  ;  Lat.,  anguina,  snaky.) 

679.  A.  anhinga  (L.).    DARTER.     SNAKE-BIRD.    WATER  TUR- 
KEY.    Chiefly  black,  with  greenish  lustre  above  ;  neck  with  hair- 
like  plumes  ;  9  largely  buffy,  back  with  pale  streaks.     L.  35.     W. 
14.     T.  11.     B.  3£.     Tropical  Am.,  N.  to  S.  111. 

FAMILY  CXXXIIL    PHALACROCORACID^S.     (THE 
CORMORANTS.) 

Bill  slender,  about  as  long  as  head,  nearly  terete,  but  compressed, 
strongly  hooked,  the  cutting  edges  uneven  ;  gular  pouch  small. 
Wings  short ;  tail  very  large,  almost  scansorial,  of  very  stiff  feath- 
ers, often  used  as  a  support  for  the  body ;  legs  set  far  back ;  a 
nasal  groove  with  abortive  nostrils.  Colors  in  both  sexes  lustrous, 
iridescent  black  ;  in  the  breeding  season  usually  with  long,  white, 

15 


226  AVES  :   STEGANOPODES.  —  XXXIV. 

filamentous  plumes ;  many  species  crested.  Genus  one  ;  species 
25 ;  of  most  regions,  chiefly  inhabiting  rocky  coasts,  where  they 
are  gregarious  and  voracious. 

346.  PHALACROCORAX  Brisson.     (<£aXaKpos,  bald  ;  K6pag, 
raven.) 

a.  Tail  of  14  feathers. 

680.  P.  carbo  (L.).      COMMON  CORMORANT.     SHAG.     Head, 
neck  and  belly  blue-black ;  back  brownish,  streaked  with  black ; 
young  grayish ;  sac  flesh-color,  heart-shaped  behind.     L.  36.     W. 
14.     T.  7£.     B.  2£.     Northern  regions,  S.  to  N.  J.    (Eu.)    (Lat,, 
coal.) 

aa.  Tail  of  12  feathers. 

681.  P.  dilophus  (Swainson).     DOUBLE-CRESTED  CORMORANT. 
Glossy  greenish  black ;  back  and  wing  coverts  slaty  brown ;  adult 
with  two  curly  black  lateral  crests ;  sac  convex  or  straight-edged 
behind,  yellowish.     L.  33.     W.  13.     T.  7.     N.  Am. ;  our  common- 
est species.     (&'?,  twice  ;  \6<f>os,  crest.) 

682.  P.  mexicanus  (Brandt).   MEXICAN  CORMORANT.    Brown- 
ish black ;    back  slaty ;   gular  sac  orange,  white-edged.     L.  24. 
W.  10.    B.  2.     S.  W.,  N.  to  S.  111. 

FAMILY  CXXXIV.    PELECANID^.     (THE  PELICANS.) 

Bill  very  long,  rather  slender,  straight,  grooved  throughout,  with 
a  claw-like  hook  at  the  end ;  the  broad  space  between  the  branches 
of  the  lower  jaw  occupied  by  a  huge  membranous  sac ;  nostrils  abor- 
tive ;  wings  very  long ;  tail  very  short,  of  20  or  more  feathers  ; 
feet  short,  stout.  Skin  of  breast  and  belly  with  large  air-cells  be- 
neath it,  so  that  the  body  is  rendered  better  able  to  float.  These 
air-cells  occupy  the  usual  position  of  the  fat- cells.  Sexes  alike. 
Genus  one ;  species  6  ;  found  in  most  warm  regions.  Gregarious, 
greedy  fish-eating  birds,  clumsy  on  the  wing. 

347.  PELBCANUS  Linnaeus.     (TreAf/cai/,  pelican.) 
a.  Tail-feathers  24;  lower  jaw  feathered.    (Cyrtopelicanus  Reich.) 

683.  P.  erythrorhynchos  Gmelin.     WHITE  PELICAN.     White 
with  black  on  wings  and  some  yellowish ;  pouch  reddish  or  yel- 
lowish.    L.  60.     W.  24.     B.  12.     N.  Am.,  abundant  S.  and  W., 
often  inland.      Farther  S.  occurs  the  Brown  Pelican,  P.  fuscus  L., 
chiefly  dusky  grayish  in  color,     (epvdpos,  red  ;  pvyx°s>  beak.) 

FAMILY  CXXXV.    FREGATIDuEJ.     (THE  MAN-OF-WAR 

BIRDS.) 

Bill  long,  rather  slender,  straight,  strongly  hooked  at  tip.  Gular 
sac  moderate.  Wings  very  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  very  long,  deeply 
forked ;  feet  very  small,  the  short,  feathered  tarsus  very  short ; 
the  webbing  narrow ;  middle  claw  pectinate. 


ANATHLE.  —  CXXXVI.  227 

Sea  birds  of  tropical  regions,  the  immense  wings  giving  them  a 
power  of  flight  surpassed  by  no  other  bird.  They  live  mainly  by 
robbing  the  terns  and  gulls,  which  they  watch,  often  from  great 
heights  in  the  air.  The  two  species  range  widely  in  the  warm  seas. 

348.  FREGATA  Cuvier.     (Ital.,  frigate.) 

684.  P  aquila  (L.).  MAN  O'  WAR  BIRD.  Black,  the  shoulders 
lustrous  in  $.  L.  40.  W.  25.  T.  17f  B.  4f.  Tropical  seas, 
occasional  N.  (Lat.,  eagle.) 

ORDER  XXXV.    ANSERES.     (THE  DUCKS  AND  GEESE.) 

Desmognathous  swimmers  with  the  basipterygoids  more  or  less 
developed  and  the  feet  not  totipalmate ;  bill  lamellate ;  no  gular 
pouch.  Feet  4-toed,  palmate ;  hind  toe  small,  elevated.  Legs 
short.  This  order  (often  called  Lamellirostres,  associated  with  the 
Flamingoes,  etc.,  to  form  the  Chenomorphce  of  Huxley  and  Stejne- 
ger)  "  opens  the  series  of  desmognathous  birds,  which  are  char- 
acterized by  having  the  palatal  bones  united  across  the  middle 
either  directly  or  by  the  intermediation  of  ossifications  in  the  nasal 
septum."  (Stejneger.) 

This  familiar  order  contains  nearly  all  the  Water-fowl  which  are 
valued  in  domestication  or  as  game  birds.  As  here  understood, 
the  Anseres  comprise  but  a  single  family,  the  Phcenicopteridce  or 
Flamingoes,  wading  birds  with  a  duck's  bill,  being  placed  in  a 
distinct  order  Odontoglossce,  by  the  American  Ornithologists' 
Union. 

FAMILY  CXXXVI.    ANATID^EJ.     (THE  DUCKS.) 

Bill  lamellate,  i.  e.,  furnished  along  each  cutting  edge  with  a 
regular  series  of  tooth-like  processes,  which  correspond  to  certain 
laciniate  processes  of  the  fleshy  tongue,  which  ends  in  a  horny  tip ; 
bill  large,  thick,  high  at  base,  depressed  towards  the  end,  mem- 
branous except  at  the  obtuse  tip  which  is  occupied  by  a  horny 
nail.  Body  heavy,  flattened  beneath.  Head  high,  compressed, 
with  sloping  forehead  ;  eyes  small.  Tail  various,  usually  short,  of 
14  to  16  feathers,  the  lower  coverts  being  long  and  full.  Legs 
and  feet  short ;  anterior  toes  full-webbed.  Tibia  feathered.  Sexes 
usually  quite  unlike  (excepting  among  the  Swans  and  Geese).  Spe- 
cies about  175,  of  all  parts  of  the  world ;  migratory ;  all  are  good 
swimmers. 

a.  Neck  shorter  than  body;  lores  feathered. 
b.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front,  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw.     Sexes 

unlike.     Ducks. 

c   Lower  mandible  without  trace  of  lamellse  along  the  side,  but  with  a 
series  of  distinct,  tooth-like  serrations  along  the  upper  edge  (inner 


228  AVES:  ANSERES. —  XXXV. 

tourium);  bill  narrow,  head  more  or  less  crested;  hind  toe  lobate. 
Fish  ducks.     (Mergince.) 
d.  Serrations  of  both  mandibles  very  conspicuous,  tooth-like,  strongly 

recurved  at  tip MERGANSER,  349. 

dd.  Serrations  of  mandibles  short,  blunt,  not  distinctly  recurved  at  tips. 

LOPHODYTES,  350. 

cc.  Lower  mandible  with  a  very  distinct  series  of  lamellae  along  side  be- 
sides the  series  along  upper  edge;  bill  rather  broad.    (Anatince.) 
e.  Hind  toe  without  distinct  membranous  lobe;  "  river  ducks." 
x.  Bill  not  spatulate,  scarcely  widened  toward  tip. 
y.  Tail  feathers  narrow,  rather  pointed,  no  crest. 
z.  Tail  not  very  acute,  the  middle  feathers  not  produced  in  <f 

(speculum  green,  violet  or  white) ANAS,  351. 

zz.  Tail  pointed,  the  middle  feathers  much  produced  in  cf ;  $ 
with  tail  much  shorter  (speculum  violet).     DAFILA,  353. 
yy.  Tail  feathers  broad,  rounded  at  tip;  tf  with  a  high  crest. 

Aix,  354. 
xx.  Bill  spatulate,  narrow  at  base  and  very  broad  toward  the  tip. 

SPATULA,  352. 

ee.  Hind  toe  with  a  broad,  membranaceous  lobe;  "sea-ducks." 
f.  Tail  feathers  with  their  bases  well  hidden  by  the  coverts. 

g.  Feathering  on  lores  or  forehead  not  reaching  forward  bej'ond 

posterior  border  of  nostril. 

h.  Graduation  of  tail  less  than  length  of  bill  from  nostril; 
width  of  nail  not  one-third  width  of  bill  at  middle. 

AYTHYA,  355. 
kh.  Graduation  of  tail  much  more  than  length  of  bill  from 

nostril. 

i.  Bill  ordinary,  not  gibbous  nor  appendaged. 
j.  Nail  of  bill  narrow,  distinct;  tail  moderate. 

k.  Nostril  anterior,  its  front  much  nearer  tip  of  bill  than 
loral  feathers  (eyes  yellow).    GLAUCIONETTA,  356. 
kJc.  Nostril  sub-basal,  its  front  much  nearer  loral  feathers 
than  tip  of  bill;  (eyes  brown). 

CHARITONETTA,  357. 

jj.  Nail  of  bill  large,  fused;  tail  in  <f  with  its  middle 
feathers  produced,  about  as  long  as  wing ;  (no  specu- 
lum)  CLANGULA,  358. 

it.  Bill  variously  gibbous  or  else  appendaged  on  base  or  on 
side. 

I.  Bill  not  gibbous,  but  appendaged  with  a  lobe  at 

base  of  commissure';  (speculum  violet). 

HISTRIONICUS,  359. 

II.  Bill  not  gibbous,  but  with  a  leathery  expansion  on 

side  of  upper  mandible ;  cheeks  bristly ;  (specu- 
lum white) CAMPTOLAIMUS,  360. 

III.  Bill  gibbous  at  base,  then  broad,  depressed,  with 

a  large  fused  nail  and  without  frontal  processes. 
OIDEMIA,  362. 

gg.  Feathering  on  forehead  or  lores  reaching  anteriorly  to  or  be- 
yond posterior  end  of  nostril;  bill  gibbous  at  base  and 
with  large  frontal  processes ;  (no  speculum). 

SOMATERIA,  361. 


ANATIDJE.— -  CXXXVI.  229^ 

ff.  Tail  feathers  with  their  bases  scarcely  concealed  by  the  short 
coverts;  tail  more  than  half  length  of  wing,  much  graduated, 
the  feathers  with  narrow  webs  and  very  stiff  shafts. 

m.  Nail  of  bill  very  small,  bent  backward  beneath 
tip  of  upper  mandible ;  outer  toe  longer  than 

middle ERISMATURA,  363. 

mm.  Nail  of  bill  normal,  not  very  narrow;  outer 
toe  shorter  than  middle  toe. 

NOMONYX,  364. 

bb.  Tarsus  reticulate  all  around,  the  plates  rather  larger  in  front;  tarsus 
not  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw.  Sexes  similar.  Geese. 
(Anserince.) 

q.  Serrae  on  tomium  of  upper  mandible  visible  from  outside  for  most 
of  its  length;  tomium  decidedly  sinuate  or  concave;   (bill  and  feet 
pale). 
r.  Bill  very  stout,  its  depth  at  base  more  than  half  its  length  above. 

(Color  largely  white.) CHEN,  365. 

rr.  Bill  smaller  and  more  depressed,  its  depth  at  base  not  half  its 

length.     (Color  not  white.) ANSER,  366. 

qq.  Serrae  on  upper  tomium  scarcely  visible  except  near  angle  of  mouth, 
the  tomium  scarcely  sinuate;  nostril  near  middle  of  nasal  fossa; 

f  (head,  bill  and  feet  mostly  black) BRANTA,  367. 

ao.  Neck  not  shorter  than  body;  lores  partly  naked.     Color  white.     Swans. 
(Cygnince.) 

s.  Bill  not  tuberculate;  tail  rounded;  outer  primaries  with  sinuate 
webs OLOK,  368. 

349.  MERGANSER  Brisson.     (Lat.,  mergus,  diver ;  anser, 
goose.) 

a.  Nostril  nearer  middle  of  bill  than  base. 

685.  M.  americanus  (Cassin).     MERGANSER.      GOOSANDER. 
FISH    DUCK.      $  black  and   white   above,   lower   parts   creamy 
white ;   a  black  bar  across  white  of  wing  coverts ;   head  glossy 
green,  scarcely  crested ;   9  smaller,  ashy  gray ;   head  brownish. 
L.  24.     W.  11.     B.  2.     T.  5.     N.  Am.,  common. 

aa.  Nostrils  near  base  of  bill. 

686.  M.  serrator  (L.).    RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER.   Similar ; 
head  crested  ;    £  with  breast  reddish  brown,  black-streaked;  wing 
with  two  black  bars,  instead  of  one  as  in  preceding.    L.  24.    W.  9. 
T.  4.     B.  2J.     N.  Am.,  abundant.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  one  who  saws.) 

350.  LOPHODYTES  Reichenbach.    (Xo$os,  crest ;  Mn;?,  diver.) 

687.  L.  cucullatus  (L.).    HOODED  MERGANSER.    SHELDRAKE. 
Black  and  white ;  speculum  white  with  2  dark  bars ;  sides  chestnut 
in  $  ;   9  duller  and  grayish  ;  crest  high  and  compressed ;  nostrils 
sub-basal.    L.  19.    W.  8.     T.  4.    B.  l£.    N.  Am.,  common.    (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  hooded.) 


IMF 


230  AVES:  ANSERES.  —  XXXV. 

351.  ANAS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  duck.) 

a.  Culmen  longer  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

6.  Speculum  violet,  bordered  with  black ;  bill  greenish-yellow  ;   L.  more 
than  20.    (Anas.) 

688.  A.  boschas  L.    MALLARD  DUCK.    TAME  DUCK,    g  head 
and  upper  neck  rich  glossy  green,  a  white  ring  below;  breast 
purplish  chestnut ;  speculum  violet,  with  black  and  white  before 
and  behind  it;    9  duller,  chiefly  dull  ochraceous,  streaked  with 
dark  brown.     L.  24.     W.   12.      N.  Am.,  abundant;    commonest 
westward.     Original  of  the  common  domestic  duck ;    various  hy- 
brids of  this  species  with  others  are  described.     (Eu.)     (/Soovcds, 
mallard.) 

689.  A.  obscura  Gmelin.     BLACK  DUCK.     Size  of  mallard  and 
resembling  the   9  >  Dut  darker ;  both  sexes  entirely  dusky,  varied 
with  brown ;  no  decided  white  except  under  the  wings.     E.  U.  S., 
common  W.  to  Iowa.  • 

bb.  Speculum  green;  bill  dusky;  L.  less  than  20. 

c.  Wing-coverts  in  both  sexes  sky-blue,  the  greater  white  tipped ;  scapu- 
lars in  <f  striped  with  blue  and  buff;  bill  rather  broad;  head  not 
crested.  ( Querquedula  Stephens.) 

690.  A.  discors  L.     BLUE-WINGED  TEAL.     $  head  and  neck 
blackish  plumbeous,  darkest  on  the  crown;  a  white  crescent  in 
front  of  eye ;  under  parts  thickly  spotted ;   9  dull  streaky  brown- 
ish and  buffy,  known  by  the  wings.    L.  16.    W.  7.    T.  3.    E.  U.  S., 
\V.  to  Rocky  Mts.,  abundant.     (Lat.,  discordant.) 

691.  A.  cyanoptera  Vieillot.     CINNAMON  TEAL.     $  chiefly 
chestnut ;  top  of  head  blackish ;   9  dull  and  streaky.     L.  1 7.     W. 
7^.     S.  W.,  straying  E.  to  111.     (mavos,  blue;  irrcpov,  wing.) 

cc.  Wing  coverts  leaden  gray,  without  blue ;  scapulars  waved  with  black 
and  white;  bill  very  narrow;  head  slightly  crested.  (Nettion 
Kaup.) 

692.  A.  carolinensis  Gmelin.     GREEN-WINGED  TEAL.     Head 
and  upper  neck  rich  chestnut  in   £  ;  a  green  patch  behind  eye ; 
upper  parts  with  wavings  of  black  and  white ;  white  below  ;  buffy 
on  breast,  with  dark  spots  ;    9  different,  known  by  the  small  size 
and  color  of  wing ;    white  crescent   on  sides  in  front  of  wings. 
L.  15.     W.  7£.     T.  3£.     N.  Am.,  common  ;  one  of  the  best  of  the 
ducks  as  food. 

aa.  Culmen  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 

d.  Lamellae  numerous,  fine,  more  than  30  visible  from  outside;  bill  not 
shorter  than  head.     ( Chaulelasmus  Bonaparte.) 

693.  A.  strepera  L.    GADWALL.   GRAY  DUCK,   g  barred,  black 
and  white,  middle  wing  coverts  chestnut,  greater  coverts  black, 
speculum  white ;   9  dusky  and  tawny  with  little  chestnut,  known 


ANATID^.  —  CXXXVI.  231 

by  the  wings.  L.  22.  W.  11.  T.  4£.  N.  Am.,  not  rare.  (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  obstreperous.) 

dd.  Lamellae  coarser,  less  than  15  visible  externally ;  bill  shorter  than  head. 
( Mareca  Stephens.) 

694.  A.  penelope  (L.).     EUROPEAN  WIDGEON.     Head  and 
neck  cinnamon ;  in  $  top  of  head  brownish  white ;  sides  of  head 
with  slight  traces  of  green.     Europe  ;  rare  in  America.    (Eu.) 

695.  A.  americana  (Gmelin).     AMERICAN  WIDGEON.     BALD- 
PATE.     Head  and  neck  grayish  in  <£,  speckled  with  dusky;  top  of 
head  white ;    sides  of   head  with  bright  green  patch ;   speculum 
glossy-green,  preceded  by  black,  white,  and  gray  on  wing-coverts ; 
9  duller.     L.  20.     W.  11.     T.  4£.     N.  Am.,  abundant.     (Eu.) 

352.  SPATULA  Boie.     (LatM  spoon.) 

G96.  S.  clypeata  (L.).  SHOVELLER.  SPOON-BILL  DUCK.  $ 
bead  and  neck  green ;  breast  white  ;  belly  chestnut ;  wing  coverts 
blue ;  speculum  green,  bordered  by  black  and  white ;  rump  and  tail 
coverts  black  ;  9  streaky  brownish,  known  by  the  bill  and  wings. 
L.  20.  W.  9£.  B.  2|.  N.  Am.,  common.  (Eu.)  (Lat.,  clypeum, 
shield.) 

353.  D AFILA  Stephens.     (A  coined  word.) 

697.  D.  acuta  (L.).     PIN-TAIL.     SPRIG-TAIL.     $  head  dark 
brown  with  purplish  gloss ;  side  of  neck  with  a  long  white  stripe ; 
back  gray,  finely  waved  with  darker ;  lower  parts  white ;  crissum 
black ;  sides  finely  waved ;  speculum  violet,  with  black,  white,  and 
buffy ;  tail  cuneate  when  developed,  central  feathers  black  and 
much  projecting ;    9   speckled  and  streaked ;   tail  much  shorter ; 
bill  dusky;  feet  grayish  blue.     L.  20  to  30.     W.  11.     T.  9  or  less. 
N.  Am.  common,  a  slender,  trim-built  duck.     (Eu.) 

354.  AIX  Boie.     (ai£,  a  water-bird  ;  diWa>,  to  spring.) 

698.  A.  sponsa  (L.).   WOOD  DUCK.   SUMMER  DUCK.   Crested; 
g  head  iridescent  green  and  purple,  with  white  stripes  and   a 

forked  white  throat  patch ;  back  varied,  black,  green,  etc. ;  breast 
rich  chestnut ;  sides  buffy,  very  finely  waved  with  dark ;  speculum 
green  ;  tips  of  primaries  frosted ;  9  duller,  head  mostly  gray ; 
varied  with  white.  L.  20.  W.  9£.  T.  5.  U.  S.  frequent ;  nesting 
in  trees,  the  most  elegant  of  all  ducks.  (Lat.,  bride.) 

355.  AYTHYA  Boie.     (aWvta,  a  sea-bird.) 

a.  Bill  not  wider  toward  its  end  than  at  base  ;  cf  with  head  and  neck  reddish. 
6.  Bill  much  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw,   the  nail  hooked. 
(Aythya.) 

699.  A.   americana  (Eyton).      RED  HEAD.     POCHARD.     $ 

head  and  neck  chestnut  with  red  reflections ;  back  mixed  silvery 


232  AVES  :  ANSERES.  —  XXXV. 

and  black,  the  dark  waved  lines  unbroken  ;  breast,  rump,  etc., 
black ;  belly  white  ;  speculum  bluish  gray,  tipped  with  white ;  9 
duller;  bill  and  feet  dull  bluish.  L.  20.  W.  10.  T.  3.  B.  2|. 
N.  Am.,  abundant. 

b.  Bill  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw,  its  tip  flattened,  the  nail  little 

hooked.    (Aristonetta  Baird.) 

700.  A.  vallisneria  (Wilson).     CANVAS-BACK  DUCK.     Head 
and  neck  dark  reddish  brown ;  black  wavy  lines  on  back  broken, 
the  whitish  predominating;    bill  dusky.     L.  23.     W.  9.     T.  3. 
B.  2£.     N.  Am.;  especially  coastwise  in  winter;   a  bird  highly 
valued  by  epicures,  but  ordinarily  not  superior  to  any  of  the  river- 
ducks.     (Vallisneria  spiralis,  the  "Water  Celery,"  on  which  the 
bird  feeds.) 

CM.  Bill  wider  toward  end  than  at  base ;  $  with  head  and  neck  black.     (Fu- 
ligula  Stephens.) 

c.  Speculum  white,  tipped  with  black. 

701.  A.  marila  (L.).    BIG  SCAUP  DUCK.    BLUE  BILL.    RAFT 
DUCK.     FLOCKING  FOWL.     Head,  neck,  and  breast  black;    no 
ring  about  neck ;  back  and  sides  whitish,  the  back  finely  waved 
with  black;   9  with  face  white;  the  head  and  neck  snuffy  brown. 
L.  20.     W.  9.      Northern  regions,  the   American  bird   is  var. 
nearctica  Stejneger,  its  6  inner  quills  without  white  on  inner  web. 
(/iapiXq,  charcoal.) 

702.  A.  affinis  (Eyton).     LESSER  SCAUP  DUCK.     Similar,  but 
smaller;  the  sides  vermiculate  with  blackish.     L.  16.     W.  8.     T. 
2£.     N.  Am.     (Lat.,  related.) 

cc.  Speculum  bluish  gray. 

703.  A.  collaris  (Donovan).    RING-NECKED  DUCK.     $  with  an 
orange  brown  collar  about  neck ;  blackish  above ;  crissum  black ; 
lower  parts  white ;  wings  brown ;    9  chiefly  brown,  without  collar. 
L.  18.     W.  8J.     T.  2f.     N.  Am.     (Lat.,  collared.) 

356.  GLAUCIONETTA  Stejneger.     (yXau/aop,  an  old  name  ; 
VTJrra,  duck.) 

704.  G.  clangula  (L.).   GOLDEN-EYE.  GARROT.     £  head  puffy, 
glossy  green  with  a  round  white  spot  before  eye  not  touching  bill ; 
upper  parts  black ;  white  continuous  on  outer  surface  of  wing ;   9 
head  duller,  snuff-colored  and  scarcely  puffy,  the  body  brownish. 
L.  16  to  19.     W.  8J.     T.  3\.     N".  Am.,  common ;"  meat  bad,  rank 
and  fishy."     (En.)     The  Amer.  bird  is  var.  americana  Bonap. 

705.  G.  islandica  (Gmelin).    BARROW'S  GOLDEN-EYE.    Similar ; 
head  almost  crested  in  $  ;  gloss  of  head  purplish  ;  a  roundish  white 
space  before  eye  touching  base  of  bill ;  white  of  wing  divided  by  a 
dark  line  ;   9  head  dark  brown.    L.  22.    W.  10.     T.  3f.     N.  U.  S. 
and  N. ;  rare.     (Eu.)     (From  Iceland.) 


ANATID.E.  —  CXXXVI.  233 


357.  CHARITONETTA  Stejneger.      (^apis,  grace;  vrjrra,  duck.) 

706.  C.  albeola(L.).   DIPPER.  BUFFLE-HEAD.   BUTTER-BALL. 
SPIRIT  DUCK.      $  with  head  very  puffy  and  iridescent;  no  white 
before  eye  but  a  large  white  ear  patch  ;  wing  coverts  and  second- 
aries mostly  white.     L.  16.     W.   7.      9    smaller,  dark  gray,  the 
head  scarcely  puffy,  with  white  behind  eye.     N.  Am.,  abundant; 
an  expert  diver.     (Lat.,  whitish.) 

358.  CLANGULA  Leach.     (Lat.,  clangor,  a  noise.) 

707.  C.  hyemalis  (L.).     SOUTH-SOUTHERLY.    OLD   SQUAW. 
LONG-TAILED  DUCK.    Blackish  and  whitish  ;  head,  neck  and  lower 
parts  mostly  white  in  winter;  a  patch  of  gray  on  head;  breast 
brownish  black  ;  bill  black  and  orange  ;  tail  very  long  ;    9    quite 
different,  mostly  grayish  brown,  with  short  tail.     L.  20      W.  9. 
T.  3(9)  to  9  (<£).     Northern,  S.  in  winter;  said  to  be  melodious. 
(Eu.) 

359.  HISTRIONICTJS  Lesson.    (From  Lat.,  histrio,  harlequin.) 

708.  H.  histrionicus  (L.).    HARLEQUIN  DUCK.    "  LORDS  AND 
LADIES."     £  leaden  bluish,  much  varied  with  black,  white,  and 
chestnut  ;  a  white  patch  before  eye  ;  speculum  violet  purple  ;   9 
dark  brown,  with  gray,  etc.;  a  white  spot  before  eye  and  one  behind 
ear;  bill  very  short.     L.  17.     W.  8.    T.  4.     B.   1^.     Atlantic, 
S.  toN.  Y.     (Ew.) 

360.  CAMPTOLAIMUS  Gray.  (Kapnros,  flexible  ;  \aip6s,  throat.) 

709.  C.  labradorius  (Gmelin).      LABRADOR  DUCK.      $  head, 
neck,  chest,  and  wings  white;  rest  of  body  with  ring  about  neck 
and  strip  on  crown  black;   9  chiefly  grayish.    L.  24.    W.  9.     N. 
AtL,  very  rare,  or  perhaps  extinct. 

361.  SOMATERIA  Leach.     EIDER  DUCKS. 

(o-oi/ua,  body;  eptov,  wool.) 

a.  Frontal  processes  long,  acute,  clubbed,  extending  in  line  with  culmen  on 
each  side  of  forehead;  feathers  on  side  of  bill  advancing  to  below  nos- 
tril; (f  with  scapulars  white;  top  of  head  black;  no  V-mark  on  chin. 
(Somateria.) 

710.  S.  dresseri  Sharpe.      AMERICAN  EIDER   DUCK.      £  in 
breeding  dress  white;  under  parts,  rump,  quills,  and  crown  patch 
black;     9    reddish  brown,   streaked;    angle   on   side   of  forehead 
broad  and  rounded.     L.  24.     W.  12.     T.  4.     Arctic  Am.;  S.  to 
Maine  in  winter.     (Eu.)     (To  H.  E.  Dresser,  an  Eng.  Orn.) 

aa.  Frontal  processes  broad,  squarish,  nearly  vertical,  out  of  line  of  culmen; 
feathers  on  side  of  bill  not  reaching  nostrils.     (Erionetta  Coues.) 

711.  S.  spectabilis  (L.).   KING  EIDER.    $  chiefly  black  ;  neck, 
breast,  etc.,  white;  a  black  V-shaped  mark  on  chin;   9  brownish, 


234  AVES:  ANSERES. —  XXXV. 

known  by  the  bill.     L.  22.     W.  11.     T.  4.     Northern  regions; 
S.  to  N.  J.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  conspicuous.) 

362.  O  ID  EMI  A  Fleming.     (01817 /za,  swelling.) 
a.  Bill  in  tf  scarcely  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;  nostrils  median; 
no  white  on  wings.     ( Oidemia.) 

712.  O.  americana  Swainson  &  Richardson.    AMERICAN  BLACK 
SCOTER.      $  entirely  black ;   9  sooty  brown,  paler  below  and  on 
throat.  L.  17  to  20.    W.  10.    T.  4.   N.  Am.,  coastwise;  S.  to  N.  J. 
aa.  Bill  in  cf  broadly  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;  nostrils  beyond 

middle  of  bill;  a  large  white  wing  patch.     (Mdanitta  Boie.) 

713.  O.  deglandi  Bonaparte.   WHITE  WINGED  SCOTER.    SURF 
DUCK.      £  black ;  white  spot  under  eye  and  white  on  wings ;  bill 
orange-tipped;  feet  orange;   9  s°°ty  brown.     L.  21.     W.  11.     N. 
Am.,  S.  to  Md. 

aaa.  Bill  in  rf  narrowly  encroached  upon  by  frontal  feathers;  no  white  on 
\\ings;  nostrils  beyond  middle  of  bill.     (Pelionetta  Kaup.) 

714.  O.  perspicillata  (L.).    SURF  DUCK.    SEA  COOT.    $  black, 
with  white  spot  on  forehead  and  nape  ;  9  sooty  brown ;  white  patch 
on  lores  and  cheeks ;  size  of  0.  americana.     N.  Am.,  coastwise. 
(Lat.,  conspicuous.) 

363.  ERISMATURA  Bonaparte     (ep«o-/xa,  prop  ;   ovpd,  tail.) 

715.  E.  rubida  (Wilson).     RUDDY  DUCK.     Chiefly  brownish  or 
tawny,  glossy  chestnut  in  full   plumage ;  considerably  waved  and 
dotted,  lower  parts  mottled  silver-white  ;  crissum  white  ;    9  brown, 
mottled  with  dusky.     L.  17.     W.  6.     T.  3£.     N.  Am.,  frequent ;  an 
expert  diver. 

364.  NOMONYX  Ridgway.     (vd/io?,  regularity ;  owg,  nail.) 

716.  N.  dominicus  (L.).     Redder  than  the  last;  forehead  and 
chin  black.     L.  13^.     W.  6J.     Trop.  Amer.,  straying  N.  to  Wis., 
etc.     (From  San  Domingo.) 

365.  CHEN  Boie.     (XTJV,  goose.) 

717.  C.  ccerulescens  (L.).     BLUE  GOOSE.     Grayish  brown,  the 
rump  and  wing  coverts  gray  ;  size  and  form  of  next.     N".  Am.,  rare. 
(Lat.,  bluish.) 

718.  C.    hyperborea    (Pallas.)     SNOW  GOOSE.      Adult  pure 
white,  washed  with  reddish  on  head  ;   the  primaries  black ;  young 
bluish  ;  feet  reddish,  the  claws  dark  ;  bill  red ;  lamellae  very  promi- 
nent.    L.  30  to  38.     W.  17.     T.  6£.     B.  2£.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  W. 
The  form  E.  of  the  Rocky  Mts.  is  var.  nivalis  Forster ;  larger  than 
the  Western  bird.     (Lat.,  far-northern.) 

366.  ANSER  Brisson.     (Lat.,  goose.) 

719.  A.  albifrons  Gmelin.    WHITE-FRONTED  GOOSE.   SPECKLE- 
BILL.     Grayish-brown,  mottled,  forehead  and  tail  coverts  white ; 


ANATHLE.  —  CXXXVI.  235 

bill  pink;  feet  yellow;  nostrils  basal.  L.  27.  W.  17.  T.  6.  Ts.  3. 
N.  Am.,  common  W.  of  Mts.  (Eu.)  The  American  form  is 
var.  gambeli  (Hartlaub),  distinguished  by  longer  bill.  B.  1|  to  2. 
The  tame  goose,  A.  anser  L.,  is  a  European  relative.  (Lat.,  white- 
fronted.) 

367.  BRANT  A  Scopoli.     (Eng.,  Brant.) 

a.  Forehead  black;  cheeks  and  chin  white;  no  white  stripes  or  collar  on 
neck. 

720.  B.  canadensis   (L.).    WILD  GOOSE.    CANADA  GOOSE. 
Grayish  brown,  more  or  less  barred  with  whitish,  paler  below  ; 
head  and  neck  black  ;  tail  black ;  upper  coverts  and  crissum  white. 
L.  36.     W.  20.    T.  7£.     B.  2.     N.  Am.,  abundant,  U.  S.  in  winter  ; 
the  commonest  of  our  geese ;  runs  into  varieties  W. 

aa.  Forehead,  cheeks,  and  chin  black;  white  stripes  on  neck. 

721.  B.  bernicla    (L.).     BRANT  GOOSE.     BARNACLE  GOOSE. 
Head,  neck,  front,  quills,  and  tail  black ;    white  patch  on  neck ; 
white  on  rump,  crissum,  etc  ;  back  brownish  gray.    L.  24.     W.  13. 
T.  5.    B.  1  £.   N.  Atl.,  rarely  S.  in  winter.    (En.)    (Eng.  barnacle  ; 
these  geese  once  supposed  to  hatch  from  barnacles.) 

368.  OLOR  Wagler.     (Lat.,  Swan.) 

722.  O.    columbianus   (Ord).      WHISTLING   SWAN.     Tail  20 
feathered ;  bill  with  a  yellow  spot,  not  longer  than  head ;  nostrils 
median.     L.  50.     W.  20.     T.  8.     B.  4.     N.  Am.,  mostly  coastwise. 
(From  Columbia  R.) 

723.  O.  buccinator  (Richardson).    TRUMPETER  SWAN.    Plum- 
age white,  sometimes  washed  with  rusty  ;  young  grayish  ;  tail  (nor- 
mally) 24  feathered ;  bill  black  without  yellow  spot,  longer  than 
head;  nostrils  sub-basal.     L.  60.     W.  27.     T.  9.     B.  4£.     N.  Am. 
E.  to  111.     (Lat.,  trumpeter.) 

ORDER  XXXVI.    HEKODIONES.     (THE  HERONS  AND 
STORKS.) 

Desmognathous  waders,  without  basipterygoid  processes;  the 
feet  not  palmate.  Birds  mostly,  but  not  always,  of  large  size,  with 
compressed  bodies,  long  legs,  and  a  very  long  S-bent  neck  of  15  to 
17  vertebrae;  tibia  naked  below;  toes  long  and  slender,  cleft  or 
slightly  webbed,  the  hind  toe  long  and  usually  not  elevated,  pro- 
vided with  a  large  claw.  Wings  broad,  rounded;  tail  short. 
Head  contracted  to  the  stout  base  of  the  bill  which  is  long  and 
usually  hard  and  acute,  with  sharp  cutting  edges  ;  nostrils  small, 
elevated  part  of  head  often  naked.  Altricial.  The  species  live 
about  water,  feeding  on  fishes,  reptiles,  etc.,  which  are  speared  by 
a  thrust  of  the  bill.  The  leading  families  are  represented  in  our 
fauna. 


236  AVES  :  HERODIONES.  —  XXXVI. 

Families  of  Herodiones. 

a.  Sides  of  upper  mandible  with  a  deep  narrow  groove,  extending  from  the 

nostrils  to  the  tip;  skull  schizorhinal.    Ibises. 
b.  Bill  very  broad,  much  flattened,  and  greatly  widened  toward  tip,  only 

the  point  decurved PLATALEID^E,  137. 

bb.  Bill  slender,  subterete,  gradually  decurved  for  its  whole  length. 

IBIDID.E,  138. 

aa.  Sides  of  upper  mandible  without  long  groove ;  skull  holorhinal.    Storks 
and  Herons. 

c.  Hind  toe  inserted  more  or  less  above  the  level  of  the  others ;  its  claw 
short ;  claws  broad  and  flat,  resting  on  a  horny  pad  or  shoe ;  middle 

claw  not  pectinate CICONIID.E,  139. 

cc.  Hind  toe  inserted  on  the  level  of  the  rest ;  claws  narrow,  arched ;  the 
middle  one  pectinate  on  its  inner  edge;  bill  straight,  pointed. 

ARDEID^E,  140. 

FAMILY  CXXXVII.    PLATALEIDJE.    (THE  SPOONBILLS.) 

Bill  long,  flat,  broad  and  spoonshaped  at  the  end,  otherwise  essen- 
tially as  in  the  Ibididce.     Genera  2  ;  species  6,  in  most  regions, 
a.  Trachea  simple  (not  convoluted  within  the  thorax).       .    .    .  AJAJA,  369. 

369.  AJAJA  Reichenbach.     (Brazilian  name.) 

724.  A.  ajaja  (L.).     ROSEATE  SPOONBILL.    Chiefly  white,  back 
and  wings  rose-pink ;  tail  buffy  ;  skin  of  the  bald  head  variegated. 
L.  34.     W.  15.     B.  7  ;  its  width  2.     T.  5.     Tropical  America,  N. 
to  S.  111. 

FAMILY  CXXXVIII.    IBIDIDuE.     (THE  IBISES.) 

Bill  very  long  and  slender,  compressed,  cylindric,  curved  through- 
out, the  upper  mandible  with  a  deep  groove  reaching  nearly  or 
quite  to  tip ;  legs  rather  long,  the  toes  slightly  webbed  at  base. 
Head  more  or  less  naked;  plumage  stork-like,  without  powder- 
down  tracts ;  wings  broad ;  tail  short ;  tarsus  scutellate  in  front, 
in  our  species.  Skull  schizorhinal.  Genera  10  or  more;  species 
24 ;  of  the  lakes  and  swamps  of  warm  regions.  Sexes  alike. 
a.  Head  of  adult  wholly  naked  anteriorly;  no  crest;  claws  curved. 

GUARA,  370. 

aa.  Head  of  adult  feathered  except  on  lores;  crown  with  a  short  crest;  claws 
nearly  straight PLEGADIS,  371. 

370.  GUARA  Reichenbach.    (From  guarauna,  a  Brazilian  name.) 

725.  G.  alba  (L.).     WHITE  IBIS.     SPANISH  CURLEW.     Pure 
white,  tips  of  longer  quills  glossy  black.    L.  24.     ~\V.  11.     T.  4. 
B.  7.     Southern  States,  N.  to  S.  Ind. 

371.  PLEGADIS  Kaup.     (ir\r)yds,  scythe.) 

726.  P.  autumnalis  (Hasselquist).     GLOSSY  IBIS.     Rich  dark 
purplish-chestnut;   head,  back,  wings  and  tail  metallic   purplish- 


—  cxxxix.  237 

green.     L.  24.     W.   11.     T.  4.     B.  4£.      Tropics,  rarely  N.  to 
N.  E.     (Eu.) 

FAMILY  CXXXIX.     CICONIID^E.     (THE  STORKS.) 

Bill  longer  than  head,  very  stout  at  base,  not  grooved,  tapering 
to  the  tip ;  nostrils  high,  close  to  base  of  bill ;  tarsus  reticulate ; 
hind  toe  more  or  less  elevated  ;  claws  short,  not  acute ;  skull  holo- 
rhinal.  Genera  7;  species  about  20,  in  damp  places  in  warm  re- 
gions. The  famous  migratory  Stork  of  Europe  (Ciconia  ciconia 
L.)  is  the  best  known  member  of  the  group.  (Lat. ,  ciconia,  stork.) 

a.  Bill  decurved  at  tip;  hind  toe  scarcely  elevated;  trachea  simple,  not  con- 
voluted within  thorax TANTALUS,  372. 

372.  TANTALUS  Linnaeus.   (TairaXos,  a  mythological  character.) 

727.  T.  loculator  L.     WOOD  "  IBIS."     White,  wings  and  tail 
mostly  glossy  black ;  the  bald  head  livid  and  yellowish.     L.  46. 
W.  18.     B.  7.     Southern   States,  N.  to  N.  Y.     (Lat.,  one  who 
places.) 

FAMILY  CXL.     ARDEID^J      (THE  HERONS.) 

Bill  straight,  longer  than  the  head,  compressed,  acute,  with 
sharp  cutting  edges  ;  upper  mandible  grooved  ;  nostrils  linear ; 
lores  naked,  the  bill  appearing  to  run  directly  to  the  eyes  ;  rest  of 
head  feathered  ;  parts  of  the  body  with  "  powder-down  tracts,"  — 
strips  of  short,  dusty,  or  greasy  down-like  feathers,  usually  three 
pairs  of  these  strips,  i.  e.,  on  the  back  above  the  hips,  on  the  belly 
under  the  hips,  and  on  the  breast ;  usually  long  plumes  from  the 
back  of  head  in  the  breeding  season.  Wings  broad.  Tail  very 
short.  Tibiae  largely  naked  below  ;  toes  long  and  slender,  hind  toe 
on  a  level  with  the  rest,  its  claw  longer  than  middle  claw  ;  middle 
claw  pectinate.  Skull  holorhinal.  Sexes  usually  colored  alike,  but 
the  changes  due  to  age  and  season  often  considerable.  Species 
about  75  ;  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  abundant  in  the  warmer 
regions,  wading  in  shallow  water  and  feeding  chiefly  on  fishes. 
a.  Tail  feathers  10,  very  short,  scarcely  stiffer  than  the  coverts;  outer  toe 
shorter  than  inner;  no  conspicuous  crest  or  train  in  breeding  season;  bill 

slender.     (Botaunnce.) BOTAURUS,  373. 

aa.  Tail  feathers  12,  rather  long,  stiffer  than  the  coverts ;  outer  toe  not  shorter 

than  inner;  claws  shorter,  and  more  curved.     (Ardeince). 
b.  Bill  long  and  slender,  at  least  five  times  as  long  as  deep  at  base. 

ABDEA,  374. 

bb.  Bill  rather  short  and  thick,  and  not  more  than  4  times  as  long  as  deep 
at  base NYCTICORAX,  375. 

373.  BOTAURUS  Stephens.     (An  imitation  of  the  bird's  note.) 
a.  Size  large;  sexes  alike;  young  similar.    (Botaurus.) 

728.  B.  lentiginosus   (Montagu).     BITTERX.     INDIAN  HEN. 
STAKE   DRIVER.     Tawny  brown   of  various   shades,  excessively 


238  AVES:  HERODIONES. —  XXXVI. 

variegated  everywhere  ;  foreneck  striped  with  buffy ;  a  dark  patch 
on  each  side  of  neck.    L.  23  to  28.    W.  12.    T.  4£.    B.  3.     N.  Am., 
abundant.     (Lat.,  freckled.) 
aa.  Size  very  small ;  sexes  unlike,  the  young  unlike  adult.    (Ardetta  Gray). 

729.  B.  exilis  (Gmelin).     LEAST  BITTERN.     $  chiefly  glossy 
greenish  black  above,  brownish  yellow  below,  neck,  shoulders  and 
wings  with  chestnut ;  a  buffy  area  on  wing  coverts  ;    9  with  brown 
instead  of  black.    L.  14.    W.  5.    T.  If.    B.  If.    N.  Am.,  in  reedy 
swamps.     ("Lat.,  slender). 

374.  ARDEA  Linna3us.     (Lat.  heron.) 
or.  Bill  shorter  than  tarsus. 
b.  Length  more  than  35  (in  adult);  tarsus  not  twice  middle  toe  without 

claw. 

c.  Color  chiefly  bluish ;  head  crested  in  breeding  season ;  dorsal  plumes 
short.     (Ardea.) 

730.  A.  herodias  L.      GREAT   BLUE  HERON.     Grayish  blue, 
marked  with  black  and  white ;   crown  black  with  white  centre ; 
forehead  white ;  lower  parts  dusky,  striped  with  white ;  tibia  and 
edge  of  wing  cinnamon  brown.     L.  42  to  50.     W.  19.     B.  6^.    Ts. 
7.     T.   7.     9    smaller.      N.  Am.,  generally  common.      (epo>8io?, 
heron.) 

cc.  Color  white;  no  crest;  back  in  breeding  season  with  long  plumes. 
(Herodias  Boie.) 

731.  A.   egretta   Gmelin.      GREAT  WHITE  EGRET.     L.  40. 
W.  17.     B.  5.     Ts.  6.     Amer.,  chiefly  S.     (Fr.,  aigrette,  a  top- 
knot.) 

bb.  Length  20  to  32. 

d.  Tarsus  not  nearly  twice  middle  toe  without  claw. 
e.  Color  pure  white  at  all  times ;  plumes  of  breeding  season  very 
long,  recurved,  with  loose  webs.    (Garzetta  Kaup.) 

732.  A.   candidissima    Gmelin.      SNOWY   EGRET.      WHITE 
"CRANE."     L.  24.     W.  12.     B.  3.     T.  4.     Tropical  America,  N. 
to  N.  Y.,  abundant.     (Lat.,  very  white.) 

ee.  Color  slaty  blue,  the  head  and  neck  maroon;  the  young  white, 
and  sometimes  the  adult  nearly  or  quite  white  ;  plumes  slender, 
with  compact  webs.  (Florida  Baird. ) 

733.  A.  ceerulea  L.     LITTLE  BLUE  HERON.     L.  24.    W.  12. 
T.  4.     B.  3.     Ts.  4.     E.  Am.,  N.  to  111.,  common. 

dd.  Tarsus  twice  as  long  as  middle  toe  without  claw.     (Dichromanassa 
Ridgway.) 

734.  A.  rufescens  Gmelin.     REDDISH  EGRET.      Slate  color; 
head  and  neck  cinnamon ;  young  grayish.     L.  30.     W.  13.     B.  4. 
Ts.  5.     Southern,  N.  to  111.     (Lat.,  reddish.) 

CM.  Bill  not  shorter  than  tarsus ;  L.  less  than  30. 

/.  Scapular  plumes  in  <f  straight,  hair-like,  reaching  beyond  tail;  wing 
more  than  8.    (Hydranassa  Baird.) 


AEDEID^E.  —  CXL.  239 

735.  A.  tricolor  Miiller.     LOUISIANA   HERON.     Variegated  ; 
leaden  blue,  chestnut  and  white.     L.  27.     W.  10.     B.  4.     Ts.  4. 
Tropical,  N.  to  Ind.     The  U.  S.  bird  is  var.  ruficollis  (Gosse). 

ff.  Scapular  plumes  not  very  long,  soft,  with  compact  webs ;  wing  not 
more  than  8.     (Butorides  Blyth.) 

736.  A.  virescens  (L.)     GREEN  HERON.     Crown,  back  and 
wings  lustrous  dark  green ;  neck  purplish  cinnamon  ;  throat  and 
fore-neck    striped  with  whitish;    young  similar.     L.    18.     W.  7. 
B.  2£.     Ts.  2.     Amer.,  abundant ;  N.  to  Ont.     (Lat.,  greenish.) 

375.  NYCTICORAX  Stephens.    NIGHT  HERONS.    (Vi5£,  night ; 

*6pa£,  raven.) 
a.  Bill  about  as  long  as  tarsus ;  gonys  nearly  straight     (Nycticorax.) 

737.  N.  nycticorax  (L.).     BLACK  CROWNED  NIGHT-HERON. 
QUA  BIRD.     SQUAWK.     Bluish  gray,  crown,  back  and  shoulders 
glossy  green  ;  lower  parts  mostly  white  ;  no  peculiar  feathers  save 
two  or  three  long,  white  occipital  plumes ;  young  grayish  brown, 
speckled  and  streaked  with  whitish,  very  different.     L.  24.    W.  14. 
B.  3.     Ts.  3.     T.  5.     U.  S.,  frequent.     The  American  bird  is  var. 
nsevius  (Boddaert).     (Eu.) 

aa.  Bill  much  shorter  than  tarsus;  gonys  convex.     (Nyctanassa  Stejneger.) 

738.  N.  violaceus  (L.).    YELLOW-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON. 
Grayish  plumbeous,  darker  on  back  and  streaked  with  black  ;  head 
mostly  black,  the  crown  and  crest  tawny  white ;  a  white  streak  be- 
hind eye  ;  back  with  long  plumes ;  young  grayish  brown,  streaked 
and  spotted  with  brown.     L.  24.     W.  12.     T.  5.     B.  2|.     Ts.  3|. 
S.  U.  S.,  scarce;  N.  to  N.  Y. 

ORDER  XXXVII.    PALUDICOLJE.     (THE  CRANES  AND 
RAILS.) 

This  small  order  includes  the  allies  of  the  Cranes  and  Rails, 
wading  birds  with  schizognathous  palate,  allied  to  the  Limicolce, 
but  with  the  head  rather  compressed  than  globose,  the  bill  hard 
and  not  sensitive,  not  adapted  for  probing  in  the  mud,  and  the 
hind  toe  little  elevated.  Precocial.  Birds  of  moderate  or  large 
size,  skulking  about  in  the  reeds  and  rushes,  and  feeding  upon 
substances  found  on  the  surface.  The  position  and  boundaries  of 
this  group  have  been  unsettled.  It  seems  nearly  related  to  the 
Limicolce.  (Lat ,  palus,  swamp ;  colo,  I  inhabit.) 

Families  of  Paludicolse. 

a.  Nasal  bones  schizorhinal ;  head  partly  unfeathered  or  else  with  ornamental 
plumes ;  hind  toe  short,  much  elevated.    Very  large.    Cranes. 

GRUHXE,  141. 

aa.  Nasal  bones  holorhinal  ;  head  feathered,  except  sometimes  a  frontal 
shield;  hind  toe  rather  long,  little  elevated;  size  moderate  or  small. 
Rails RALLID^S,  142. 


240  AVES  :  PALUDICOLJE.  —  XXXVII. 


FAMILY  CXLI.     GRUID^J.     (THE  CRANES.) 

Very  large  birds,  with  the  legs  and  neck  extremely  long,  the 
latter  of  1 7  vertebrae.  Wings  large,  rather  short.  Tail  short,  of 
1 2  broad  feathers.  Head  more  or  less  naked,  with  scattered  hair- 
like  feathers.  Plumage  compact,  without  downy  tracts.  Bill  as 
long  or  longer  than  head,  straight  and  slender;  tibia  extensively 
naked ;  tarsus  scutellate ;  toes  rather  short ;  hind  toe  highly  ele- 
vated ;  nasal  bones  schizorhinal.  Genera  3  ;  species  15  ;  of  various 
parts  of  the  world,  resembling  herons  in  external  form,  but  similar 
to  the  rails  in  general  structure. 

376.  GRUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  crane.) 

739.  G.  americana  (L.).    WHOOPING  CRANE.    WHITE  CRANE. 
Adult  pure  white  with  black  on  wings ;  bare  part  of  head  very 
hairy ;  young  rusty,  the  head  feathered.      L.  50.     W.  24.     T.  9. 
Ts.  12.     B.  6.     N.  Am.;  rare  E.,  a  wild  bird,  avoiding  civiliza- 
tion.    "  The  windpipe  is  quite  as  long  as  the  bird  itself,  50  inches 
or  more,  and  over  2  feet  of  it  coiled  away  in  the  keel  of  the  breast- 
bone, which  is  entirely  hollowed  out  to  receive  these   extraordi- 
nary convolutions ;  the  voice  is  singularly  raucous  and  resonant." 
(Cowes.) 

740.  G.  mexicana   (Miiller).     SAND-HILL    CRANE.     BROWN 
CRANE.     Slaty   gray  or  brownish,   never  white;   head  sparsely 
hairy.     L.  46.     W.  22.     B.  5£.     T.  9.     Ts.  10.     U.  S.,  chiefly  S. 
and  W. 

FAMILY  CXLII.    RALLID^.     (THE  RAILS.) 

Birds  of  medium  or  small  size,  with  compressed  bodies  and  large 
muscular  legs.  Wings  short,  rounded,  concave ;  tail  very  short, 
of  10 or  12  soft  feathers.  Hind  toe  rather  short,  a  little  elevated; 
front  toes  very  long.  Bill  various,  rather  short,  not  sensitive  at 
tip.  Plumage  blended,  changing  little  with  age,  sex,  or  season. 
Species  about  150,  of  most  parts  of  the  world,  skulking  in  swamps 
and  marshes,  gathering  their  food  chiefly  from  the  surface. 

a.  Forehead  feathered ;  no  frontal  shield.     (Ralllnce.) 
b.  Bill  slender,  decurved,  longer  than  head,  with  narrow  nasal  groove,  and 

linear  nostril RALLUS,  377. 

bb.  Bill  stout,  straight,  not  longer  than  head,  with  broad  nasal  groove  and 

oblong  nostril ....    PORZANA,  378. 

an.  Forehead  covered  with  a  broad,  bare,  horny  shield. 
c.  Toes  scarcely  or  not  lobate.     (Galllnulince.) 

d.  Nostrils  small,  oval IONORNIS,  379. 

dd.  Nostrils  slit-like GALLINULA,  380. 

cc.  Toes  lobate,  edged  with  broad  flaps.    (Fulicince.)    .    .  FULICA,  381. 


RALLID.E. —  CXLII. 


241 


377.  RALLUS  Linnaeus.     (Fr.,  rale,  from  its  note.) 
a.  Large  rails;  wing  more  than  5. 

741.  R.  longirostris  Boddaert.    CLAPPER  RAIL.    SALT-WATER 
MARSH  HEN.     Olive  brown,  variegated  with  ashy^  dull  reddish 
brown  below ;  little  or  no  distinct  chestnut  anywhere.     L.  14  to  16. 
W.  6.     T.  -2\.     B.  2^.      9   smaller.     Salt  marshes ;  common  S., 
N.  to  Mass.     Ours  is  var.  crepitans  Gmelin. 

742.  R.    elegans    Audubon.      KING    RAIL.      FRESH-WATER 
MARSH-HEN.     Brownish  black,  with  bright  chestnut  below  and  on 
wing  coverts ;  much  brighter  colored  than  the  last,  and  larger ; 
a  red,  rather  than  a  gray  bird.     L.  18.     W.  7.     B.  2j.     U.  S., 
in  fresh-water  marshes,  N.  to  Conn. 

aa.  Small  rails;  wing  less  than  5. 

743.  R.  virginianua  L.     VIRGINIA  RAIL.     Colors   exactly  as 
in  R.  elegans;   much  smaller.     L.  10.     W.  4.     T.   l£.     B.  1J. 
N.  Am.,  common  E. 

378.  PORZANA  Vieillot.     (Italian  name.) 

a.  Secondaries  without  white. 
b.  Wing  more  than  4;  olive-brown  above,  striped  with  black.    (Porzana.) 

744.  P.   Carolina   (L.).      CAROLINA    RAIL.      SORA.      Olive- 
brown,  streaked  ;  adult  with  face  and  middle  line  of  throat  black ; 
breast  slaty  gray  ;   back  streaked ;   belly  barred.     L.  9.     W.  4£. 
T.  2.    N.  Am.,  common. 

b.  Wings  less  than  3J  ;  dusky,  usually  speckled  with  white.    (Credscus 
Cabanis.) 

745.  P.  jamaicensis  (Gmelin).     BLACK  RAIL.    Blackish,  with 
white  markings.     L.  5J.     W.  3.     T.  lj.     Tropical  Amer.  etc., 
rarely  N.  to  111. 

aa.  Secondaries  white.    (Coturnicops  Bonaparte.) 

746.  P.  noveboracensis  (Gmelin).     YELLOW  CRAKE.    Buffy, 
blackish-streaked  above  with  white   marks,  buffy  below.      L.  6. 
W.  8J.     T.  1£.     E.  N.  Am.,  not  common.     (Lat.,  of  New  York.) 

379.  IONORNIS  Reichenbach.     (tov,  violet;  opvis,  bird.) 

747.  I.  martinica  (L.).     PURPLE  GALLINULE.     Olive  green; 
head  and  lower  parts  purplish  blue ;  wings  and  tail  greenish-black ; 
crissum  white;  bill  mostly  red;  the  shield  blue.     L.  12.     W.  7. 
T.  3.     Tropical  Amer.,  N.  to  N.  E.     (From  Martinique.) 

380.  GALLINULA  Brisson.     (Dim.  of  Lat.  gallina,  hen.) 

748.  G.  galeata  (Lichtenstein).  FLORIDA  GALLINULE. 
Brownish  olive  above,  grayish  black  on  head  and  below ;  wings 
and  tail  dusky ;  bill,  frontal  shield,  and  ring  around  tibia  red ;  feet 

16 


242  AVES:  LIMICOI^E.  —  XXXVIII. 

greenish.     L.  14.    W.  7£.     T.  3£.     Ts.  2.    S.  States,  straying  N. 
to  N.  E.  and  Wis.     (Lat.,  helmeted.) 

381.  PULICA  Linnaeus.    (Lat.,  coot.) 

749.  F.  americana  (Gmelin).  COOT.  MUD  HEN.  Dark  slate 
color  or  sooty,  with  white  on  wings  and  crissum  ;  bill  pale  in  adult, 
with  a  brown  spot  near  tip ;  frontal  shield  dark  brown.  L.  14. 
W.  8.  T.  2.  N.  Am.,  abundant  in  reedy  swamps ;  an  excellent 
swimmer. 

ORDER  XXXVIII.    IIMICOL.JE.     (THE  SHORE-BIRDS.) 

This  division  of  the  old  order  of  Grallce  includes  the  allies  of 
the  Plover  and  Snipe,  as  distinguished  from  the  nearly  related 
Cranes  and  Rails  on  the  one  hand  and  the  remotely  related 
Herons  and  Ibises  on  the  other.  Some  of  the  external  characters 
of  the  group  are  the  following.  Tibia  more  or  less  naked  below ; 
legs  long;  hind  toe  free  and  elevated,  often  wanting.  Head  glo- 
bose, abruptly  sloping  to  the  base  of  the  bill ;  completely  feathered 
(except  in  the  male  of  Pavoncelld) ;  gape  short ;  bill  weak,  flexible, 
more  or  less  soft-skinned  and  sensitive  at  tip  in  most  cases,  adapted 
for  probing  in  the  mud;  nostrils  slit-like,  surrounded  by  soft  skin. 
Schizognathous ;  precocial. 

The  Limicolce  are  all  birds  of  small  size,  abundant  on  sandy 
shores  and  in  marshes.  In  spite  of  the  difference  in  appearance 
and  habits,  these  birds  have  much  in  common  with  the  gulls,  in 
their  anatomy.  (Lat.,  limus,  mud;  colo,  I  inhabit.) 

Families  of  Limicolae. 

a.  Toes  lobate,  with  distinct  lateral  membranes ;  tarsus  extremely  compressed. 

PHALAROPODID.E,  143. 
aa.  Toes  not  lobate ;  webbed  or  not. 

6.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  middle  toe  with  claw;  naked  part  of  tibia  much 
longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  feet  palmate  or  not. 

RECURVIROSTRID^E,  144. 
bb.  Tarsus  less  than  twice  middle  toe  with  claw;  naked  portion  of  tibia 

shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  toes  cleft  or  semipalmate. 
c.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front. 

d.  Bill  slender,  with  a  bluntish  tip ;  soft-skinned  and  sensitive  through- 

out  SCOLOPACID^E,  145. 

dd.  Bill  stout,  hard,  pointed  and  wedge-shaped  at  tip  (in  our  species). 

APHRIZIDJE,  146. 
CC.  Tarsus  reticulate  in  front. 

e.  Bill  not  longer  than  tarsus,  not  compressed ;  contracted  behind  the 

horny  tip,  shaped  somewhat  like  a  pigeon's  bill. 

CHARADRIID^E,  147. 
ee.  Bill  longer  than  tarsus,  much  compressed  at  tip. 

H<£MATOPODIDJE,  148. 


PHALAROPODID^E.  —  CXLIII.  243 

FAMILY   CXLIII.      PHALAROPODID^S.      (THE 
PHALAROPES.) 

Small  sand-piper-like  birds,  with  the  toes  lobed,  as  in  the  Coots 
and  Grebes,  but  the  lobes  narrower.  Body  depressed,  the  lower 
plumage  thick,  as  in  the  ducks,  and  capable  of  resisting  water; 
wings  long,  tail  short;  tarsus  much  compressed.  Species  3  in  two 
genera.  They  inhabit  northern  regions,  ranging  S.  in  winter. 

a.  Bill  stoutish,  flattened,  with  lancet-shaped  tip.      .    .  CRYMOPHILUS,  382. 
aa.  Bill  subulate,  very  slender PHALAROPUS,  383. 

382.  CRYMOPHILUS  Vieillot.      (icpvpos,  cold;  ^iXoy,  loving.) 

750.  C.  fulicarius  (L.).     RED  PHALAROPE.     Back  black,  the 
feathers  tawny  edged;  top  of  head  blackish,  its  sides  white;  rump 
white;  quills  mostly  black;  feet  yellowish;  lower  parts  purplish 
chestnut;  young  white  below;  membrane  of  toes  scalloped.     L.  8. 
W.  5.     T.  2f.     B.  1.     Ts.  f.     Northern  regions.     (Eu.)     (Lat., 
Coot-like.) 

383.  PHALAROPUS  Brisson.     ((j>a\apis,  the  coot;  irovs,  foot.) 

o.  Membranes  of  toes  scalloped;  wing  less  than  5£.     (Phalaropus.) 

751.  P.  lobatus  (L.).    NORTHERN  PHALAROPE.     Adult  gray- 
ish black,  variegated  with  tawny;  rump  and  under  parts  white; 
neck  largely  rusty  red ;  bill  and  feet  black.     L.  7.     W.  4£.     T.  2. 
B.  f .     Ts.  f .     Northern  regions,  chiefly  along  sea-shores.     (Eu.) 

aa.  Membrane  of  toes  plain;  wing  more  than  4£.     (Steganopus  Vieillot.) 

752.  P.   tricolor    (Vieillot).     WILSON'S   PHALAROPE.     Ashy 
above,  more  or  less  variegated  with  chestnut;  rump  pale;  lower 
parts  white ;  sides  of  head  and  neck  with  a  stripe  of  dark  wine-red, 
which  changes  to  black  above ;  tail  marbled ;  winter  plumage  with 
no  red  or  black ;  bill  and  feet  black.     L.  9.    W.  5.    T.  2£.    B.  l£. 
Ts.  1^.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  in  interior;  largest  and  handsomest  of 
the  Phalaropes,  varying  much  with  the  season. 

FAMILY  CXLIY.  RE  CUR  VIRO  STRIDES.  (THE  AVOCETS.) 

A  little  family  allied  to  the  snipe,  with  the  legs  excessively  long 
and  the  bill  very  slender,  long,  acute,  straight  or  curved  upward. 
Genera  3,  species  8 ;  in  most  parts  of  the  world.  Himantopus  is 
said  to  have  relatively  longer  legs  than  any  other  bird. 

a.  Toes  4;  the  anterior  full  webbed;  bill  recurved,  flattened,  tapering  to  a 
fine  point;  plumage  beneath  thickened,  as  in  ducks;  swimmers. 

RECURVIROSTRA,  384. 
aa.  Toes  3,  semipalmate;  bill  nearly  straight,  not  flattened. 

HIMANTOPUS,  385. 


244  AVES  :  LIMICOL^:.  —  xxxvm. 

384.  RECURVIROSTRA  Linnaeus.     (Lat.  recurvus,  bent 
upward;  rostrum,  beak.) 

753.  R.    americana    Gmelin.      AVOCET.     BLUE    STOCKING. 
White,  with  cinnamon  brown  on  head  and  neck,  the  wings  mostly 
black;  legs  blue.    L.  18.   W.  8J.   T.  3£.    B.  3J.    Ts.  3f.     N.  Am. 

385.  HIMANTOPUS  Brisson.     (ipavTonovs,  strap-leg.) 

754.  H.  mexicanus  (Miiller).     STILT.    LONG  SHANKS.    LAW- 
YER.    Glossy  black  above,  white  below ;  tail  ashy ;   9  slaty ;  legs 
pink.     L.  15.     W.  9.     T.  3.     Ts.  4.     B.  2J.     N.  Am. 

FAMILY  CXLV.  SCOLOPACIDu3E.  (THE  SNIPE.) 
Bill  elongated,  usually  longer  than  the  head ;  if  short,  not  plover- 
like,  being  soft-skinned  throughout  (hard  when  dry)  ;  nasal  grooves 
in  the  form  of  narrow  channels  ranging  from  half  to  nearly  the 
whole  length  of  the  bill ;  sides  of  lower  mandible  usually  also 
grooved;  nostrils  narrow  exposed  slits;  head  feathered.  Wings 
usually  thin  and  pointed;  tail  short  and  soft;  tibia  rarely  entirely 
feathered.  Tarsus  never  entirely  reticulate  and  usually  scutellate 
in  front  and  behind ;  hind  toe  present  (except  in  CaKdris)  ;  front 
toes  cleft  or  slightly  webbed;  size  medium  or  small.  Sexes  alike 
or  female  slightly  larger;  seasonal  changes  in  plumage  often 
strongly  marked.  Eggs  usually  four,  placed  with  the  small  ends 
together  in  a  slight  nest  or  depression  in  the  ground ;  notes  vari- 
ous; mostly  migratory  or  gregarious.  Genera  about  20;  species 
100  ;  chiefly  of  northern  regions,  but  not  wanting  in  most  parts  of 
the  world.  (o-KoXorra^,  snipe.) 

a.  Tarsus  scutellate  behind  as  well  as  in  front;  bill  not  strongly  decurved. 
b.  Eyes  far  back,  directly  above  the  ears;  bill  long;  tip  of  upper  mandible 

thickened;  plumage  unchanging.     (Scolopacince.) 
c.  Tibia  entirely  feathered;  3  outer  primaries  attenuate;  toes  not  webbed. 

PHILOHELA,  386, 

cc.  Tibia  naked  below;  no  attenuate  primaries.  .    .     .  GALLINAGO,  387. 
bb.  Eyes  not  far  back,  considerably  before  the  ears;  tip  of  upper  mandible 

thin;  summer  and  winter  plumage  different.     (Tringince.) 
d.  Toes  not  webbed  at  all  (or  with  a  single  minute  web). 

e.  Hind  toe  wanting CALIDRIS,  392. 

ee.  Hind  toe  present. 
f.  Bill  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  (inner  webs  of  quills 

not  mottled) TRINGA,  390. 

ff.    Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  (inner  webs  ot  quills 

mottled) TKYNGITES,  397. 

dd.  Toes  more  or  less  webbed  at  base. 

g.  Tail  graduated,  more  than  half  wing.  .     .    BARTEAMIA,  396. 
gg.  Tail  not  more  than  half  wing,  little  graduated. 

h.  Tail  longer  than  bill  (from  frontal  feathers);  gape  reaching 
beyond  base  of  culmen. 


SCOLOPACID.E.  —  CXLV.  245 

i.  (Wing  less  than  4;  toes  well  webbed;   both  mandibles  grooved  to 
the  tip;  tail  not  barred)  .........    EREUNETES,  391. 

«.  (Wing  not  less  than  4.) 
j.  Bill  narrower  at  tip,  its  upper  surface  hard  and  smooth,  not  grooved 

to  the  tip  ;  (tail  barred). 

k.  Tarsus  about  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw;  (wings  less  than  4$). 

ACTITIS,  398. 
kk.  Tarsus  rather  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw;  (wings  more 

than  4£). 
x.  Bill  slender;  (legs  dusky  or  yellow).    .     .    .    TOTANUS,  394. 

xx.  Bill  stout;  (legs  bluish)  ......    SYMPHEMIA,  395. 

jj.  Bill  slightly  broadened  at  tip,  its  upper  surface  slightly  wrinkled  or 
pitted  ............     .     .   MICROPALAMA,  389. 

M.  Tail  shorter  than  bill  ;  gape  not  reaching  behind  base  of  culmen  :  (tail 
barred  or  else  chiefly  black). 

I.  Culmen  with  a  median  groove  ;  tip  of  both  mandibles  wrinkled 
or  pitted  ..........    MACRORHAMPHUS,  388. 

II:  Culmen  smooth,  not  grooved  ........  LIMOSA,  393. 

aa.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front,  reticulate  behind;  bill  very  long,  decurved. 
(Numeniince.)  ...............  NUMENIUS,  399. 

386.  PHILOHELA  Gray.     (<£iXoff,  lover  ;  eXor,  swamp.) 

755.  P.  minor  (Gmelin).    AMERICAN  WOODCOCK.    Variegated, 
black,  brown,  gray,  and  russet  ;  occiput  banded  with  blackish  and 
rusty,  below  warm  brown.     L.  11.     W.  5.     B.  3.     T.  l£.     E.  U.  S., 
in  swamps,  W.  to  Nebr.     (The  European  woodcock,  Scolopax  rusti- 
co'la  L.,  a  similar  but  considerably  larger  bird,  is  an  occasional 
straggler  to  E.  U.  S.) 

387.  GALLINAGO  Leach.     (Lat.,  gallus,  cock.) 

756.  G.  delicata  (Ord).     WILSON'S  SNIPE.     Back  varied  with 
black  and  bay  ;  crown  black,  with  a  pale  median  stripe  ;  breast 
mottled;  sides  barred;  bill  straight,  very  long.     L.  11.     W.  5.     B. 
2J.     T.  2£.     N.  Am.,  abundant  ;  a  favorite  game  bird. 


388.    MACRORHAMPHUS    Leach.      (^a/epos,   long; 

beak.) 

757.  M.  griseus  (Gmelin).  GRAY  SNIPE.  DOWITCHER.  Black- 
ish and  grayish  ;  breast  rusty-red  in  summer  ;  bill  long,  nearly  as 
in  Gallinago.  L.  11.  W.  5J.  T.  2J.  E.  N.  Am.,  abundant 
coastwise. 


389.  MICROPALAMA  Baird.     ftuK/xfe,  small  ;   TroXa/^,  palm.) 

758.  M.  himantopus  (Bonaparte).  STILT  SANDPIPER.  Black- 
ish, marked  with  chestnut,  etc.  ;  ashy  gray  in  winter  ;  bill  nearly  as 
in  Gallinago.  L.  9.  W.  5.  T.  2J.  B.  If.  E.  N".  Am.,  not  com- 
mon. (Himantopus,  the  stilt.) 


246  AVES  :  LIMICOI^E.  —  XXXVIII. 

390.  TRINGA  Linnseus.     (Low  Lat.,  sandpiper.) 

a.  Wing  6  or  more;  middle  pair  of  tail  feathers  not  longer  than  the  rest. 
( Tringa.) 

759.  T.  canutus  L.     ROBIN  SNIPE.     KNOT.    Brownish  black, 
reddish  brown  below  ;  bill  straight ;  tarsus  not  shorter  than  middle 
toe  and  claw.     L.  11.     W.  6£.     T.  2£.     Atlantic  coasts,  common. 
(Eu.)     (For  King  Canute.) 

aa.  Wing  less  than  6 ;  middle  pair  of  tail-feathers  longer  and  more  pointed 

than  the  rest. 

b.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw,  the  latter  shorter  than  bill. 
(Arquatella  Baird.) 

760.  T.  maritima  Briinnich.    PURPLE  SANDPIPER.    Ashy  black 
with  purplish  reflections ;  feathers  with  pale  edgings ;  lower  parts 
mostly  white ;  bill  nearly  straight.     L.  9.     W.  5.     T.  2|.     B.  1 J. 
Atlantic  coasts.     (Eu.} 

bb.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw  (or  else  toes  very  slender,  with- 
out distinct  lateral  membrane), 
c.  Bill  scarcely  longer  than  tarsus,  and  not  half  length  of  tail.    (Acto- 

dromas  Kaup.) 
d.  Wing  more  than  4£. 

e.  Rump  and  middle  tail  coverts  plain  black  or  dusky;  throat  with 
an  ashy  or  brownish  suffusion  and  dusky  streaks. 

761.  T.  maculata  Vieillot.    PECTORAL  SNIPE.     JACK  SNIPE. 
Clay-color,  striped  with  blackish  above ;  belly  white ;  breast  ashy- 
shaded  and  sharply  streaked.     L.  9.     W.  5J.     B.  l£.     N.  Am., 
abundant.     (Eu.) 

ee.  Rump  dusky,  the  feathers  bordered  by  pale. 
f.  Upper  tail  coverts  white,  with  or  without  dusky  marks;  throat 
sharply  streaked,  with  little  if  any  ashy  suffusion. 

762.  T.  fuscicollis  Vieillot.    WHITE-RUMPED  SANDPIPER.    Top 
of  head  buffy,  streaked  with  black;    middle  tail-feathers  mostly 
black.     L.  1\.    W.  4f .     T.  2£.    E.  U.  S.,  coastwise.     (En.)    (Lat., 
fuscus,  tawny ;  collum,  neck.) 

ff.  Upper  (median)  tail  coverts  plain  dusky. 

763.  T.  bairdi  (Coues).     BAIRD'S  SANDPIPER.     Colors  of  next 
but  larger  ;  throat  but  little  streaked.     L.  7  to  7J.     W.  4f .     T.  2J. 
B.  J.     America,  rare  E.     (To  Spencer  Fullerton  Baird.) 

dd.  Wing  less  than  4. 

764.  T.  minutilla  Vieillot.     LEAST  SANDPIPER.    PEEP.    Black- 
ish, rusty  and  white,  much  variegated ;  throat  streaked.     Smallest 
of  the  sandpipers,  resembling  Ereunetes,  but  the  feet  different,  be- 
ing without  webs.     L.  6.     W.  3£.     T.  2.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

cc.  Bill  considerably  longer  than  tarsus  and  more  than  §  tail. 

g.  Tarsus  less  than  1£  times  middle  toe  without  claw;  upper  tail 
coverts  mostly  dusky.    (Pelidna  Cuvier.) 


SCOLOPACIILE.  —  CXLV.  247 

765.  T.  alpina  (L.).    DUNLIN.    OX-BIRD.    RED-BACKED  SAND- 
PIPER.    Chestnut  brown  above  ;  feathers  black  centrally  ;  belly,  in 
summer,  with  a  broad  black  area.     L.  8£.     W.  5.     T.  2£.     B.  If. 
Northern  regions,  the  American  var.  pacifica  Coues,  larger  than  the 
European. 

gg.  Tarsus  1^  times  length  of  middle  toe  without  claw  ;  upper 
tail  coverts  white  ;  bill  decurved.     (Ancylocheilus  Kaup.) 

766.  T.  ferruginea  Briinnich.     CURLEW  SANDPIPER.     Chiefly 
chestnut  in  summer,  the  back  black  and  rusty  ;  in  winter  largely 
brownish  and  streaky.     L.  8.     W.  5.     B.  l£.     Europe,  straggling 
to  N.  E.     (Eu.) 


391.  ERETTNETES  Uliger.     (epevvrjr^s,  searcher.) 

767.  E.  pusillus   (L.).     SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER.     SAND- 
PEEP.     Grayish  brown,  often  shaded  with  cinnamon,  white  below  ; 
small.     L.  6£.     W.  3£.     T.  2.     B.  f  to  -&.     N.  Am.  ;  abundant 
along  beaches.     (Lat.,  puerile.) 

768.  E.  occidentalis   Lawrence.     Bill  longer,  %  to  l£  ;   color 
chiefly  rusty  red  above  ;  chest  and  breast  streaked.     Pacific,  fre- 
quently E. 

392.  CALIDRIS  Cuvier.     (raXi'Spis,  old  name  of  some  bird.) 

769.  C.  arenaria    (L.).     SANDERLING.     Rusty  above,  marked 
and  spotted  with  grayish  and  whitish  ;    white  on  wing  coverts. 
L.  8.     W.  5.     T.  2J.     B.  1.     Northern  regions,  abundant  coastwise, 
known  by  its  lack  of  the  hind  toe.    (Eu.)    (Lat.,  relating  to  sand.) 

393.  LIMOSA  Brisson.     (Lat.,  muddy.) 
a.  Tail  distinctly  barred. 

770.  L.  fedoa  (L.).    MARBLED   GODWIT.    MARLIN.     Cinna- 
mon  brown,   variegated   above,   nearly   uniform   below  ;    no   pure 
white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  cinnamon  barred  with  black.     L.  16  to 
22.     Ts.  3.     W.  9.     T.  3£.     B.  4J.     N.   Am.,   abundant   along 
shores.     (Perhaps  fcedus,  ugly.) 

aa.  Tail  black,  white  at  base  and  tip. 

771.  L.  heemastica  (L.).     BLACK-TAILED  GODWIT.     Brownish 
black  and  reddish,  more  or  less  variegated  above  and  below  ;  some 
white  ;  upper  tail  coverts  with  a  white  band.    L.  15.    W.  8.    Ts.  2£. 
B.  3^.     E.  N.  Am.,  rather  northerly.     (ai/zaortKos,  blood-red.) 

394.  TOT  ANUS  Bechstein.     (Ital.,  totano.) 
a.  Tarsus  more  than  1£  times  middle  toe  without  claw;  legs  yellow.    (  Totanus.) 

772.  T.  melanoleucus  (Gmelin).    GREATER  TELL-TALE.    YEL- 
LOW SHANKS.    STOXE  SNIPE.    Ashy  brown,  variegated  with  white, 
etc.  ;  bill  very  slender,  the  nasal  groove  not  half  its  length  ;  legs 


248  AVES:  LIMICOI^E.  —  XXXVIII. 

long.     L.  12£.     W.  7J.     T.3J.     B.  2J.     N.  Am.,  frequent. 
black ;  \€VKOS,  white.) 

773.  T.  flavipes  (Gmelin).     YELLOW  LEGS.     Colors  as  in  pre- 
ceding ;  nasal  groove  more  than  half  bill ;   smaller ;   legs  longer. 
L.  11.    W.  6£.     T.  2J.     B.  If.     U.  S.,  abundant.     (Lat.,  flavus, 
yellow ;  pes,  foot.) 

aa.  Tarsus  much  less  than  li  times  middle  toe  and  claw;  legs  dusky.  (Helo- 
dromas  Kaup.) 

774.  T.  solitarius   (Wilson).      SOLITARY  TATTLER.  Olive 
brown,  sparsely  speckled  with  whitish  above  ;  below  white ;  breast 
dusky;   bill  straight  and  slender.     L.  9.     W.  5.     T.  2J.  B.  l\. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  about  secluded  ponds. 

395.  SYMPHEMIA  Rafinesque.     (avv,  with ;  fapt,  I  speak ;  in 

allusion  to  their  noisy  discussions.) 

775.  S.  semipalmata   (Gmelin).     WILLET.     Brownish  gray, 
varied  with  dusky,  mostly  whitish  below.     L.  15  or  16.     W.  7J. 
T.  3.     B.  2£.     N.  Am.,  common  coastwise.     The  larger  western 
bird  (111.  and  W.)  is  var.  inornata  Brewster.     W.  8.     B.  2J. 

396.  BARTRAMIA   Lesson.     (To  William  Bartram,  "grand- 

father of  American  ornithology.") 

776.  B.  longicauda  (Bechstein).    UPLAND  SANDPIPER.   Light 
brownish,  marked  with  ochraceous  and  blackish ;  throat  whitish ; 
tail  feathers  mostly  marked  with  white.    L.  12£.   W.  6J.    T.  4.    B. 
1^.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant  in  fields,  etc.     Allied  to  this  species  is 
the  European  Ruff  (Pavoncella  pugnax  L.),  occasionally  taken  in 
E.  U.  S.,  the  male  with  a  very  conspicuous  ruff. 

397.  TRYNGITES  Cabanis.     (From  Tringa.) 

777.  T.    subruficollis    (Vieillot).      BUFF-BREASTED    SAND- 
PIPER.    Grayish,  mottled  with  darker;  buffy  below;   under  pri- 
mary coverts  and  quills  with  white,  and  finely  mottled  with  black. 
L.  8.     W.  5J.     T.  2}.     B.  |.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  in  interior ;  not  com- 
mon.    (Lat.,  sub,  under ;  rufus,  reddish ;  collum,  neck.) 

398.  ACTITIS  Boie.     (Lat.,  acta,  shore.) 

778.  A.  macularia  (L.).     TIP-UP.     TEETER-TAIL.     SPOTTED 
SANDPIPER.     Lustrous  drab  above  in  summer,  varied  with  black ; 
pure  white  below,  with  round  blackish  spots  in  adult.    L.  8.    W.  4. 
T.  2.     B.  1.     N.  Am.,  everywhere,  common.     (Lat.  spotty.) 

399.  NUMENIUS  Linnaeus,     (veos,  new;  ^771/77,  moon.) 
a.  Secondaries,  quills,  etc.,  rusty  cinnamon ;  lower  parts  pale  cinnamon. 

779.  N.  longirostris  Wilson.    LONG-BILLED  CURLEW.  SICKLE 
BILL.     Cinnamon,  varied  with  gray  and  blackish.     L.  24.    W.  12. 
T.  4.     B.  5  to  9.     N.  Am.,  frequent. 

aa.  Secondaries  and  quills  chiefly  dusky  brownish;  lower  parts  dull  buffy. 


CHAEADKIID^E.  —  CXLVI.  249 

780.  N.  hudsonicus   Latham.    JACK  CURLEW.     Crown  with 
two  broad  dusky  stripes,  with  a  narrower  median  stripe  of  buffy. 
L.  18.     W.  9.     T.  3£.     B.  3  or  4.     N.  Am. 

781.  N.  borealis  (Forster).    ESQUIMAUX  CURLEW.     DOUGH 
BIRD.     Crown  narrowly  streaked  with  dusky,  without  paler  median 
stripe.     L.  14.     W.  8£.     T.  3.     B.  2\.    N.  Am.,  northwards. 

FAMILY  CXLVI.    CHARADRIID^B.    (THE  PLOVERS.) 

Head  rather  large,  nearly  globose;   bill  of  moderate   length, 
shaped  somewhat  like  a  pigeon's  bill,  with  a  constriction  behind 
the  horny   terminal   portion;   nasal   fossae   lined   with   soft   skin, 
through   which    the    slit-like    nostrils    open.       Wings   long   and 
pointed,  usually  reaching  beyond  the  tip  of  the  short  tail,  some- 
times spurred.     Toes  usually  three,  with  basal  web  ;  tarsus  reticu- 
late; tibia  naked  below.     Sexes  similar,  but  seasonal  changes  of 
plumage  great.    Species  about  75,  in  most  parts  of  the  world. 
a.  Plumage  above  speckled;  below,  black  in  breeding  season;  tarsus  much 
longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ........  CHARADRIUS,  400. 

aa.  Plumage  of  upper  parts  not  speckled;  neck  with  dark  rings;  tarsus  not 
much  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  ;  hind  toe  wanting. 

401. 


400.  CHARADRIUS  Linnaeus,     (xapafyios,  old  name.) 
a.  Hind  toe  present,  but  very  small.    (Squatarola  Cuvier.) 

782.  C.  squatarola  L.     BLACK-BELLIED    PLOVER.     OX-EYE. 
Grayish,  speckled  ;  black  below  in  breeding  season,  at  other  times 
white  ;  axillars  sooty-black.     L.  ll£.     W.  7.    T.  3.     B.  l£.    Ts.  2. 
Northern  regions  ;  rather  rare  in  U.  S.    (Eu.}    (Venetian  name.) 
aa.  Hind  toe  wholly  wanting. 

783.  C.  dominions  Muller.     GOLDEN  PLOVER.    FROST  BIRD. 
Dark  and  grayish  above,  profusely  speckled,  some  of  the  spots 
bright  yellow  ;  black  below  in  breeding  season,  at  other  times  grey- 
ish; wing  coverts  smoky-gray.     L.  10£.     W.  7.     T.  3.     B.  1.    Ts. 
1$.     N.  Am.,  a  well  known  game  bird. 

401.  .ZEGIALITIS  Boie.     (atytaXtrifr,  one  who  lives  along  shore.) 

a.  Tail  half  or  more  length  of  wing;  rump  orange  brown;  two  black  bands 
on  breast.     (Oxyechus  Reich.) 

784.  2E.  vocifera  (L.).     KILDEER.     Grayish  brown  ;  tail  with 
black,  white,  and  pale  orange  ;  a  black  band  above  the  white  fore- 
head.    L.  10.     W.  6J.     T.  4.     B.  £,  black.     N.  Am.,  abundant  in 
the  Miss.  Valley. 

aa.  Tail  not  half  length  of  wing;  rump  colored  like  back;  breast  with  one 

band  or  none.    (Ochthodromus  Reich.) 
b.  Bill  as  long  as  middle  toe  and  claw. 


250  AYES:  LIMICOI^E.  —  XXXVIII. 

785.  2E.  wilsonia  (Ord).    WILSON'S  PLOVER.    Brownish  gray; 
forehead  and  lower  parts  white,  a  black  band  on  breast  and  one  on 
front  of  crown  ;    9  duller  and  rusty.    L.  7|.    W.  4£.    B.  £.    Trop- 
ical shores,  N.  to  N.  Y.     (To  Alex.  Wilson.) 

bb.  Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw. 
c.  All  toes  distinctly  webbed  at  base. 

786.  2E.    semipalmata     Bonaparte.      RING -NECK    PLOVER. 
Dark  grayish  brown;  black  bands  broad.     L.  7.     W.  5.     B.  -J. 
N.  Am. 

cc.  Inner  toe  not  webbed  at  base. 

787.  JE.  meloda  (Ord).      PIPING  PLOVER.     Very  pale  ashy 
brown,  clear  white  below;   dark  bands   narrow  and  faint;   toes 
slightly  webbed.     L.  6|.     W.  4f.     B.  J.     E.  N.  Am.,  along  the 
coast ;  represented  in  Miss.  Valley  by  var.  circumcincta  Eidgway, 
with  the  black  patches  on  sides  of  breast  coalescent. 

FAMILY  CXLVII.    APHBIZID^.     (THE  SURF-BIRDS.) 

Toes  4,  not  webbed,  the  hinder  short,  well-developed;   tarsus 
scutellate  in  front ;  legs  rather  long  ;  wings  long  and  pointed ;   tail 
short ;  bill  rather  short.     Two  genera,  each  with  a  species,  found 
on  most  northern  shores.     (d<£pos,  surf  ;  £ao>,  I  live.) 
a.  Bill  as  long  as  tarsus,  hard,  sharp-pointed;  tail  rounded.   AKENARIA,  402. 

402.  ARENARIA  Brisson.     (Lat.,  relating  to  sand.) 

788.  A.  interpres    (L.).     TURNSTONE.     Variegated;   black, 
white,  and  chestnut  above,  mostly  white  below ;  young  without  red- 
dish; feet  orange;  throat  white.     L.  8J.     W.  6.     T.  2J.    B.  $. 
Northern  regions,  generally  common.    (Eu.}     (Lat.,  a  go-between.) 

FAMILY   CXLVIII.      H^MATOPODID^E.      (THE 
OYSTER-CATCHERS.) 

Toes  3,  webbed  at  base ;  tarsus  reticulate ;  legs  stout,  coarse  and 
rough ;  wings  long  and  pointed  ;  tail  short.  Bill  hard,  long,  con- 
stricted near  base,  much  compressed,  truncate  at  tip,  nearly  straight, 
adapted  for  opening  shells ;  nasal  groove  short ;  nostril  linear.  Size 
large ;  sexes  similar.  One  genus,  with  6  or  7  species  ;  shore-birds 
found  in  most  countries. 

403.  H^BMATOPUS  Linnaeus,     (ai/ia,  blood  ;  rrovs,  foot.) 

789.  H.  palliatus  Temminck.    OYSTER-CATCHER.    Back  dark 
slate ;  head  and  neck  black ;  bill  and  legs  red ;  tail  coverts  white. 
L.  18.     W.  10.     T.  4£.     B.  3.     American  coasts.     (Lat.,  wearing 
a  cloak.) 


TETRAONID^E.  —  CXLIX.  251 

ORDER  XXXIX.     GAL.LINJE.     (THE  GALLINACEOUS 
BIRDS.) 

Bill  short,  stout,  convex,  horny,  not  constricted ;  nostrils  scaled 
or  feathered ;  cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible  overlapping  the 
lower.  Head  often  partly  or  wholly  naked,  sometimes  with  fleshy 
processes.  Legs  moderate,  stout ;  hind  toe  elevated  (excepting  in 
Cracidce),  smaller  than  the  other  toes,  sometimes  wanting.  Feet 
usually  slightly  webbed.  Tarsus  broadly  scutellate  (sometimes 
feathered) ,  occasionally  spurred  in  the  males ;  claws  blunt,  not 
much  curved.  Wings  short,  strong,  concave ;  tail  various,  some- 
times wanting,  often  immensely  developed.  Palate  schizognathous, 
nasal  bones  schizorhinal ;  basipterygoid  processes  present.  Preco- 
cial,  often  polygamous,  terrestrial  in  habit  and  hence  sometimes 
called  Rasores  or  Scratchers. 

A  large  order  including  the  chief  game  birds  of  most  countries, 
as  well  as  most  kinds  of  domesticated  fowl.  The  Hen  (Gallus 
gallus),  the  Guinea  Hen  (Numida  pucherani),  and  the  Peacock 
(Pavo  cristatus),  are  familiar  examples  of  the  order.  All  these  are 
now  placed  with  the  common  turkey  in  the  Old  World  family, 
Phasianidce.  (Lat,  gallus,  cock.) 

Families  of  Gallinae. 

a.  Hind  toe  short,  small,  inserted  above  level  of  the  others. 
6.  Tarsus  without  spurs;  head  feathered  (or  nearly  so)  and  tail  not  vaulted. 

TETRAONID^E,  149. 

bb.  Tarsus  with  spurs  in  rf ;  head  often  largely  naked,  the  tail  often  vaulted. 

PHASIANID^E,  150. 

FAMILY  CXLIX.    TETRAONID^l.     (THE  GROUSE.) 

Hind  toe  small,  short;  tarsus  without  spurs;  head  nearly  or 
quite  feathered;  tail  not  vaulted.  Genera  12;  species  about  25. 
Game  birds  abounding  in  northern  regions ;  the  grouse  mostly  N. 
American.  (Lat.,  tetrao,  grouse.) 

a.  Tarsus  bare,  scutellate;  nostril  unfeathered,  with  a  naked  scale;  sides  of 

toes  not  pectinate  (Perdicince). 

b.  Head  not  crested ;  lower  mandible  with  its  tomia  serrate  toward  the  tip. 

COLINUS,  404. 

aa.  Tarsus  and  nostrils  more  or  less  feathered;  sides  of  toes  pectinate  in  win- 
ter (Tetraonince). 
c.  Tarsus  feathered  about  half  way;  tail  fan-shaped,  of  18  broad,  soft 

feathers ;  neck  with  a  ruff BONASA,  406. 

cc.  Tarsus  feathered  to  the  toes. 

d.  Tail  more  than  half  wing,  rounded  or  even;  no  ruff  or  peculiar 
feathers  on  neck. 

e.  Toes  naked ;  plumage  not  white DENDRAGAPUS,  405. 

ee.  Toes  feathered ;  winter  plumage  chiefly  snow-white. 

LAGOPUS,  407. 


252  AVES:  GALLING.  —  XXXIX. 

dd.  Tail  about  half  as  long  as  wing ;  toes  naked. 

f.  Neck  with  a  ruff  of  straight  stiff  feathers,  beneath  which  is  a 

bare,  inflatable  air-sac ;  tail  rounded.    .  TYMPANUCHUS,  408. 

ff.  Neck  without  peculiar  feathers  ;   tail  graduated,  the  middle 

feathers  exserted .     .  PEUIOC^ETES,  409. 

404,  COLINUS  Lesson.     (Mex.  name,  Acolin.) 

790.  C.  virginianus   (L.).      BOB- WHITE.      QUAIL  (North). 
PARTRIDGE  (South).    Forehead,  line  through  eyes,  chin  and  throat 
white,  brownish  yellow  in    9  »  crown  dark  ;    plumage  generally 
chestnut  red,  barred  and  streaked.      L.  9£.     W.  5.     T.  3.     B.  f . 
E.  U.  S.,  W.  to  Great  Plains,  abundant.     The  smaller  European 
quail,  Coturnix  coturnix  L.,  with  very  short  tail  and  lower  mandible 
entire,  has  been  introduced  E. 

405.  DENDRAGAFUS  Elliott.     (Sevftpov,  tree  ;  ayairr],  love.) 

a.  Tail  of   16  feathers;    no  evident  air-sac  on  side  of    neck   (Canachites 
Stejneger). 

791.  D.  canadensis  (L.).     SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE.      CANADA 
GROUSE.    Black  above  with  grayish  markings;  mostly  black  below 
with  white  spots  ;  the  sides  streaked ;  tail  black,  often  tipped  with 
reddish;    9  smaller,  black  interrupted  or  streaky.     L.  16.    W.  6|. 
T.  5^.     Spruce  swamps,  northward ;  S.  to  N.  Y.  and  Mich. 

406.  BONASA  Stephens,     (povcuros,  wild  bull.) 

792.  B.    umbellus    (L.).      RUFFED    GROUSE.      PARTRIDGE 
(North).     PHEASANT  (South).      Crested  ;    sides  of  neck  with  a 
ruff  of  soft  dark  feathers;  color  reddish  or  grayish  brown,  much 
streaked  and  variegated  with  blackish  and  pale.     L.  18.     W.  7J. 
T.  7.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant  in  woodland.     (Lat.,  umbel.) 

407.  LAGOPUS  Brisson.     (Aayo>s,  hare ;  TTOVS,  foot.) 

793.  L.  lagopus  (L.).   WHITE  PTARMIGAN.    WILLOW  GROUSE. 
Fore  parts  cinnamon  brown,  variegated  with  blackish,  rest  of  body 
chiefly  white ;  winter  plumage  pure  white,  the  tail  black ;  bill  stout. 
L.  16.     W.  8.     T.  5.     Arctic,  S.  to  N.  N.  Y.  in  winter.     (Eu.) 
Some  other  species  occur  N. 

408.  TYMPANUCHUS  Gloger.    (Lat.,  tympanum,  drum;  nucha, 

nape.) 

a.  Scapulars  without  conspicuous  terminal  whitish  spots;  neck  tufts  in  <f  of 
more  than  10  parallel-edged,  obtuse  feathers. 

794.  T.   americanus    (Reichenbach).      PINNATED    GROUSE. 
PRAIRIE  HEN.     PRAIRIE  CHICKEN.     Sides  of  neck  with  a  tuft  of 
long  pointed  feathers,  beneath  which  is  a  patch  of  bare,  red  skin, 
capable  of  great  inflation;  color  black,  tawny  and  white,  much 


PHASIANID.E.  —  CL.  253 

barred  and  streaked.    L.  17.    W.  9.    T.  4-J.     9  smaller.    Prairies, 
etc.,  Indiana  to  La.  and  N. ;  nearly  exterminated  eastward, 
aa.  Scapulars  with  large,  conspicuous  spots  of  buffy  whitish;  neck  tufts  in  tf 
of  not  more  than  10  lanceolate  feathers. 

795.  T.  cupido  (L.).     HEATH  HEN.     Rather  smaller.     W.  8£. 
E.  U.  S.,  once  from  Mass,  to  Va.,  now  extinct  except  on  Martha's 
Vineyard.      (To  Cupid,  the  ruff  on  the  neck  likened  to  Cupid's 
wings.) 

409.  FEDIOCLaEiTES  Baird.     (irt&iov,  plain ;  OIKTJTTJS,  inhabitant.) 

796.  P.  phasianellus  (L.).    SHARP- TAILED  GROUSE.    Streaked 
and  spotted,  yellowish  brown,  black,  and  white;  sexes  alike.    L.  18. 
W.  8} .     T.  5.     Arctic  Amer.,  S.  to  N.  111. ;  the  S.  E.  form  with 
rusty  grayish  predominating,  is  var.  campestris  Ridgway.     (Lat. 
phasianus,  pheasant.) 

FAMILY  CL.    PHASIANIDu3S.    (THE  PHEASANTS.) 

The  chief  family  of  the  Gall'mce,  differing  as  a  whole  from  the 
Tetraonidce  in  having  the  tarsus  in  the  $  armed  with  a  spur.  In 
many  species  the  head  is  naked,  in  others  the  tail  is  long  and 
vaulted,  or  otherwise  peculiar.  Genera  18  ;  species  90;  nearly  all 
of  the  Old  World,  some  of  them  among  the  most  remarkable  of 
birds  in  form  and  coloration.  The  two  species  of  Meleagrince  are 
American. 

a.  Head  and  neck  unfeathered,  with  scattered  hairs,  and  with  caruncles  ; 
forehead  with  a  fleshy  process;  tail  long,  broad,  truncate  ;  plumage 
metallic  ;  breast  in  rf  with  a  tuft  of  bristles.  (Meleagrince.) 

MELEAGRIS,  410. 

410.  MELEAGRIS  Linnaeus.     (/leAectypk,  guinea-hen.) 

797.  M.  gallopavo  L.       WILD    TURKEY. l    Glossy,    coppery 
black.     L.  48.     W.   21.  T.    18£.      9  smaller,  duller.     Ontario  to 
Rocky  Mountains,  S.  to  Mexico,  becoming  extinct  eastward.     The 
domestic    Turkey   is   descended   from   a    Mexican   variety    (var. 
mexicana  Gould).     (Lat.,  gallus,  cock  ;  pavo,  pea-fowl.) 

ORDER  XL.    COLTUMBJE.     (THE  DOVES.) 

Bill  straight,  compressed,  the  horny  tip  separated  by  a  constric- 
tion from  the  soft  part.  Nostrils  opening  beneath  a  soft,  tumid 
membrane  or  cere,  at  base  of  bill.  Frontal  feathers  sweeping  in 
a  strongly  convex  outline  across  base  of  upper  mandible ;  tomiae 
meeting.  Hind  toe  on  a  level  with  the  rest  (except  in  Starncenas, 

1  The  account  of  the  habits  of  the  Turkey  given  by  Linnaeus  is  worth  quoting  : 
"Mas  expestuat  inflate  pectore,  expansa  cauda,  sanguinea  facie,  relaxata  frontis 
caruncula;  irae  tenax  ;  sapida  caro." 


254  AVES  I   COLUMB.E.  —  XL. 

etc.),  the  others  usually  not  webbed.  Tarsus  mostly  scutellate  in 
front,  elsewhere  reticulate,  the  plates  soft.  Head  small,  skull 
schizognathous,  the  nasal  bones  schizorhinous  ;  basipterygoids 
present.  Plumage  soft,  compact,  the  feathers  very  loosely  inserted. 
Altricial;  monogamous. 

A  small  order,  including  some  extinct  forms,  closely  related  to 
the  Gallince.  The  principal  family  is  the  Columbidce. 

Families  of  Columbae. 
a.  Wings  and  tail  well  developed  .........    COLUMBIA  151. 

FAMILY  CLL    COLUMBIDCE.     (THE  PIGEONS.) 

Wings  long,  pointed;  tail  never  forked,  of  12  or  14  feathers; 
plumage  compact,  the  feathers  loosely  inserted.  Species  about 
300,  found  in  most  regions,  but  most  abundant  in  the  East  Indies. 
Besides  the  following,  quite  a  number  of  pigeons  occur  in  the 
Southern  States.  The  common  tame  dove  (Columba  cenas  L.)  is  a 
fair  type  of  the  family. 

a.  Tarsus  feathered  at  the  suffrage,  shorter  than  the  lateral  toes.  (Columtince.) 

b.  Tail  very  long,  wedge-shaped,  of  12  pointed  feathers.    ECTOPISTES,  411. 

aa.  Tarsus  entirely  bare,  scutellate,  longer  than  the  lateral  toes.   (Zenaidince.) 

c.  Tail  long,  pointed,  of  14  pointed  feathers,  its  length  more  than  §  wing. 

ZENAIDURA,  412. 
cc.  Tail  short,  rounded,  of  12  broad  feathers;  less  than  §  wing. 

COLUMBIGALLINA,  413. 


411.  ECTOPISTES  Swainson.     (y/tTOTrionfc,  wanderer.) 

798.  E.    migratorius    (L.).      WILD    PIGEON.       PASSENGER 
PIGEON.     Bluish  drab,  with  reddish   and  violet  tinges,  reddish 
below;    $   more   reddish.     L.    17.     W.    7J.     T.   8.     E.   N.  A., 
abundant;  gregarious. 

412.  ZENAIDURA  Bonaparte.    (Zenaida,  a  related  genus;  ovpd, 
tail;  Zenaida  was  named  for  Madame  Zenaida  Bonaparte.) 

799.  Z.  macroura  (L.).    MOURNING  DOVE.     TURTLE  DOVE. 
CAROLINA  DOVE.     Brownish  olive,  glossed  with  blue  and  wine 
color  ;  plumage  with  metallic  lustre  ;   a  dark  ear  spot  ;  outer  tail 
feathers  with  white  ;    9  duller.     L.  12.     W.5f.     T.  6f  .     N.  Am., 
N.  to  Canada,  very  abundant,  feeding  on  the  ground,  its  mournful 
note  not  an  index  to  its  merry  disposition,     (/m/cpos,  large  ;  ovpo, 
tail.) 

413.   COLUMBIGALLINA  Boie.     (Lat.,  columba,  pigeon; 
gallina,  hen.) 

800.  C.  passerina  (L.).     GROUND  DOVE.     Grayish  olive,  with 
bluish  gloss;   the  head,  breast,  etc.,  wine-color  in  £.     L.  6£.     W. 


CATHARTICS.  —  CLII.  255 

3J.     T.  2f.      Tropical  America,   N.  to  Va. ;   common  S.     (Lat., 
like  a  sparrow.) 

ORDER  XLI.     KAPTORES.     (THE  BIRDS  OF  PREY.) 

Bill  powerful,  cered  at  base,  strongly  hooked  at  the  end.  Feet 
never  zygodactyle ;  fourth  toe  sometimes  versatile ;  hind  toe  de- 
veloped, elevated  or  not ;  claws  very  strong  in  typical  forms,  weak 
in  the  vultures;  tibia,  and  often  tarsus,  feathered.  Primaries  10  ; 
tail  feathers  usually  12.  Altricial,  but  young  downy  at  birth. 
Carnivorous  birds,  often  of  large  size  and  great  strength,  found  in 
every  part  of  the  world.  Some  of  them  feed  upon  carrion,  some  of 
the  smaller  on  insects,  some  on  reptiles  or  fishes,  the  most  of  them 
on  mammals  and  birds  which  are  captured  in  open  warfare.  (Lat., 
raptor,  robber.) 

Families  of  Kap tores. 

a.  Head  entirely  naked  (downy  in  young) ;  hind  toe  short,  elevated ;  claws 
small;  inner  toe  somewhat  webbed ;  nostril  longitudinal. 

CATHARTID^E,  152. 

aa.  Head  nearly  or  quite  fully  feathered ;  hind  toe  not  elevated,  its  claw  large 
and  strong,  like  the  others ;  inner  toe  not  webbed ;  nostrils  vertical  or 
roundish. 

b.  Eyes  lateral,  not  surrounded  by  a  disk  of  radiating  feathers;  cere  ex- 
posed; outer  toe  not  reversible  (except  in  Pandiori). 

FALCONID^E,  153. 
bb.  Eyes  directed  forward,  surrounded  by  disks  of  radiating  feathers ;  cere 

concealed  by  bristly  feathers ;  outer  toe  reversible. 

c.  Facial  disk  sub-triangular;  middle  claw  pectinate.  .      STRIGID^E,  154. 
cc.  Facial  disk  sub-circular,  middle  claw  not  serrate.  .    BUBONID^E,  155. 

FAMILY  CLII.     CATHARTIC)^.    (THE  NEW  WORLD 
VULTURES.) 

Head  and  part  of  neck  bare.  Eyes  lateral ;  ears  small.  Bill 
lengthened,  weak  and  but  little  hooked ;  nostrils  perforate.  Wings 
very  long  and  strong,  giving  a  strength  and  grace  of  flight  which 
few  birds  possess.  Hind  toe  short,  and  elevated ;  front  toes  long, 
somewhat  webbed,  with  rather  weak  and  straightish  claws.  Large 
turkey-like  raptores,  without  the  strength  and  spirit  of  the  hawks 
and  owls ;  "  voracious  and  indiscriminate  gormandizers  of  carrion 
and  animal  refuse  of  all  sorts,  hence  efficient  and  almost  indispensa- 
ble scavengers  in  the  warm  countries  where  they  abound."  (Coues.) 
The  vultures  are  voiceless.  On  the  ground  they  walk  rather  clum- 
sily. When  disturbed  they  eject  the  fetid  contents  of  their  capacious 
crops.  Two  species,  the  Condor  and  the  California  Vulture,  are 
among  the  largest  birds  of  flight  in  the  world.  All  are  American, 
the  Old  World  Vultures  (Vulturince)  being  vulture-like  hawks. 
Genera  5 ;  species  6  or  8. 


256  AVES:    RAPTOKES.  —  XLI. 

a.  Wings  very  long,  primaries  reaching  to  end  of  tail  or  farthor;  tail  rounded; 
nostrils  large  and  broad  ...........     CATHARTES,  414. 

act.  Wings   short,  scarcely  reaching  middle  of  tail;  tail  truncate;  nostrils 
small  and  narrow  .......    .....    CATHAKISTA,  415. 


414.  CATHARTES  Illiger.     (fca&zpT^,  purifier.) 

801.  C,  aura  (L.).    TURKEY  BUZZARD.    Black,  lustrous  above 
and  somewhat  mottled  with  brown;    skin  of  head  and  neck  red. 
L.  30.     W.  22.     T.  12.     Am.,  abundant,  especially  S.  and  S.  W. 
(A  South  American  name.) 

415.     CATHARISTA  Vieillot.     (icadapifr,  to  cleanse.) 

802.  C.  atrata  (Bartram).     CARRION  CROW.     Uniform  dull 
black.     L.  24.     W.  17.     T.  8.     Trop.  Amer.,  straying  N".  to  Ohio; 
a  heavier  bird  than  the  Turkey  Buzzard,  although  shorter.     (Lat., 
blackened.) 

FAMILY  CLIII.  FALCONID^B.  (THE  FALCONS.) 
Head  fully  feathered  (except  in  the  Old  World  Vulturince)  ;  no 
ear  tufts.  Eyes  lateral  ;  eyelids  provided  with  lashes  ;  usually  a 
projecting  bony  eyebrow  ;  no  complete  facial  disk.  Toes  always 
naked,  and  usually  tarsus  also  ;  hind  toe  not  elevated.  Bill  stout, 
strongly  hooked,  its  base  not  hidden  by  feathers.  Claws  very  strong 
and  sharp,  the  hind  claw  not  shorter  than  the  others.  Plumage 
usually  of  blended  colors,  barred  or  streaked  ;  changes  considerable  ; 
9  usually  the  larger.  Genera  50  ;  species  300  ;  abounding  every- 
where. 

a.  Outer  toe  not  reversible;  claws  graduated  from  the  largest  (hind-toe)  to 

the  smallest  (outer). 

b.  Nostril  not  circular,  nor  with  an  inner  bony  tubercle.     (Acdpitrince.) 
c.  Tarsus  naked,  reticulate  all  around,  much  shorter  than  tibia. 
d.  Tail  very  deeply  forked.      .     .......    ELANOIDES,  416. 

dd.  Tail  merely  emarginate;  claws  not  grooved  beneath. 

ELANUS,  417. 

cc.  Tarsus  nqt  reticulate  all  around  ;  claws  grooved  beneath. 
e.  Tarsus  decidedly  shorter  than  tibia. 
f.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  only  ;  not  fully  feathered. 

g.  Toes  somewhat  webbed  at  base  ;  cutting  edge  of  upper  man- 
dible notched  ...........    ICTINIA,  418. 

gg.  Toes  not  webbed  at  all  ;  neck  feathers  Jancecolate. 

HALI^EETUS,  425. 
ff.  Tarsus  almost  or  quite  entirely  feathered. 

h.  Tarsus  densely  feathered  all  around  down  to  base  of  toes. 

AQUILA,  424. 

hh.  Tarsus  densely  feathered  to  base  of  toes  except  a  bare  strip 
behind.     .     .    ,    ......      ARCHIBUTEO,  423. 

fff.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front  and  behind. 


FALCONHLE.  —  CLIII.  257 

».  Wing  rather  pointed,  more  than  4  times  length  of  tarsus. 

BuTJto,  421. 
ii.  Wing  rounded,  less  than  4  times  length  of  tarsus. 

ASTUKINA,  422. 
ee.  Tarsus  about  as  long  as  tibia. 

j.  Face  without  ruff;  wings  rounded,  little  longer  than 
tail;  tarsus  scutellate  in  front  only,  rarely  booted. 

ACCIPITER,  420. 

jj.  Face  with  a  slight  ruff,  somewhat  as  in  owls ;  wings 
very  long,  longer  than  the  long  tail ,  tarsus  scutellate 

in  front  and  behind CIRCUS,  419. 

bb.  Nostrils  small,  circular,  with  a  conspicuous  central  bony  tubercle;  cut- 
ting edge  of  upper  mandible  with  a  strong  tooth,  separated  from 
hooked  tip  of  bill  by  a  distinct  notch;  tarsus  reticulate  all  around. 

(Falconince.) FALCO,  426. 

aa.  Outer  toe  reversible;  claws  all  of  the  same  length,  narrowed  and  rounded 
on  lower  side;  tarsus  reticulate ;  plumage  compact.     (Pandionince.) 

?  A*  DION,  427. 

416.  ELANOIDES  Gray.     (Elanus;  «8o?,  form.) 

803.  E.  forficatus  (L.).     SWALLOW-TAILED   KITE.      Lustrous 
black ;    head,  neck,  lower  parts,  and  band  on  rump  white ;  young 
streaky.     L.  25.    W.  1 7.    T.  14.    Southern,  N.  to  Penn.  and  Minn. 
(Lat.,  forfex,  shears  ;  tail  deeply  forked,  like  shears.) 

417.  ELANUS  Savigny.     (Lat.,  kite.) 

804.  E.   leucurua    (Vieillot).     WHITE-TAILED  KITE.    Bluish 
gray,  with  white  on  head  and  tail,  and  black  on  shoulder.     L.  17. 
W.  1 3.    T.  7.    Tropical  Am.,  N.  to  S.  111.    (\CVKOS,  white ;  ovpa,  tail.) 

418.  ICTINIA  Vieillot.     (IKTIJ/OS,  kite.) 

805.  I.  mississippiensia  (Wilson).    MISSISSIPPI  KITE.    Chiefly 
lead  blue,  wings  with  chestnut.    L.  15.    W.  12.    T.  6£.    S.  E.  U.  S., 
N.  to  Penn.  and  Wis. 

419.  CIRCUS  Lacepede.     (*'p*os,  a  kind  of  hawk.) 

806.  C.  hudsonius   (L.).     MARSH  HARRIER.     Chiefly  pale 
bluish  gray ;  rump  and  under  parts  whitish ;  tail  bluish,  mottled 
and  tipped   with  white,  and  with  dark  bands ;    9  dusky  brown. 
L.  18.     W.  15.     T.  9.     N.  Am.,  abundant;  readily  known  by  the 
white  rump. 

420.  ACCIPITER  Brisson.     (Lat.,  hawk.) 

a.  Tarsus  feathered  less  than  $  of  the  way  down  in  front,  the  feathers  well 
separated  behind.    (Accipiter*) 

807.  A.  velox  (Wilson).     SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK.     "PIGEON 
HAWK."      Tail   truncate;    tarsus   sometimes    "booted";    general 
color  bluish  gray,  breast,  sides,  etc.,  whitish,  streaked  with  reddish 

17 


258  AVES:  KAPTOEES.  —  XLI. 

brown.  L.  12.  W.  7.  T.  6.  N.  Am.;  abundant;  a  small  but 
courageous  hawk.  The  species  of  this  genus  are  more  destructive 
among  poultry  than  any  other  hawks.  (Lat.,  swift.) 

808.  A.  cooperi  Bonaparte.     CHICKEN  HAWK.     Tail  rounded ; 
tarsus  never  booted;   colors  similar,  more  blue,  the  top  of  head 
darker,  the  tail  more  plainly  white  tipped.    L.  18.    W.  10.     T.  8. 
N.  Am.,  common.     (To  Wm.  Cooper,  of  New  York.) 

aa.  Tarsus  feathered  about  half  way  down  in  front,  the  feathers  scarcely  sep- 
arated behind.    (Astur  Lace'pede.) 

809.  A.  atricapillus  (Wilson).     GOSHAWK.     Chiefly  slate  blue 
with  white  superciliary  stripe ;    lower  parts  white,  finely  barred 
with  brown;    tail  with  four  dark  bars.     L.  24.     W.  14.     T.  11. 
Northern,  S.  to  U.  S.  in  winter.     (Lat.,  black-haired.) 

421.  BUTEO  Cuvier.     (Lat.  buzzard,  as  these  hawks  are  called 
in  England.) 

a.  Outer  web  of  primaries  without  white,  buffy,  or  ochraceous  spots. 
b.  Four  outer  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  web. 

c.  Head  and  neck  uniform  dark  sootj^  brown,  or  streaked  with  white, 

never  with  buffy  or  reddish. 

810.  B.  harlani  (Audubon).     BLACK  HAWK.     Tail  irregularly 
mottled  with  grayish,  rusty,  white,  or  blackish  and  with  a  dark 
band  near  tip ;  general  color  usually  very  dark  but  variable.     L. 
21.     W.  16.     T.  10.     S.  W.,  E.  to  III,  scarce. 

cc.  Head  and  neck  more  or  less  streaked  with  ochraceous  or  rusty  red. 

811.  B.  borealis  (Gmelin).    HEN  HAWK.    RED-TAILED  BUZ- 
ZARD.    Dark  brown ;   much  barred  and  streaked ;    tail  in   adult 
bright  chestnut  red  above,  with  a  narrow  black  bar  near  its  tip. 
L.  23.     W.  15J.    T.  8£.     N.  Am.  common,  replaced  W.  by  var. 
calurus  Cassin,  dark  brown,  sometimes  uniform. 

bb.  Three  outer  primaries  emarginate  on  inner  web. 

d.  Wing  more  than  13. 

812.  B.  swainsoni  Bonaparte.    SWAINSON'S  BUZZARD.    Gray, 
variously  streaked,  usually  a  bright  chestnut  or  brownish  area  on 
breast ;   wings  dusky ;    tail  with  nine  or  ten  narrow  dark  bars ; 
variable.     L.  20.    W.  16.     T.  8£.    W.  U.  S.,   E.  to  Ind.  and  Mass. 
(To  Wm.  Swain  son.) 

dd.  Wing  less  than  12. 

813.  B.  latissimus  (Wilson).    BROAD-WINGED  HAWK.    Brown 
above,  whitish  or  fulvous  below,  variously  streaked  and  barred  ; 
conspicuous  dark  cheek  patches  ;  tail  with  broad  dark  bands  alter- 
nating with  narrower  pale  ones,  white-tipped ;  lower  parts  brownish 
with  whitish  spots  ;  in  young  whitish  with  darker  streaks.     L.  18. 


FALCONID^E.  —  CLIII.  259 

W.  11.    T.  7.    E.  N.  Am.,  a  handsome  but  small  hawk.     (Lat. 
broadest.) 

aa.  Outer  webs  of  primaries  spotted  with  white,  huffy  or  ochraceous  :  4  pri- 
maries emarginate. 

814.  B.   lineatus  (Gmelin).     CHICKEN  HAWK.     RED-SHOUL- 
DERED BUZZARD.     Dark  reddish  brown ;  head  and  neck  more  or 
less  rusty  ;  bend  of  wing  orange  brown  in  adult ;   tail  with  sev- 
eral white  bars ;  young  much  streaked  below  and  with  little  red- 
dish.    L.  22.     W.  14.     T.  9.    Considerably  lighter  in  weight  than 
the  red-tailed  hawk,  although  nearly  as  long.     N.  Am.,  abundant. 

422.  ASTURINA  Vieillot.     (Lat.,  dim.  of  Astur,  a  hawk). 

815.  A.  plagiata  Schlegel.    GRAY  HAWK.    GOSHAWK.    Chiefly 
dark  ashy  gray,  white  below :   wings  and  tail  black,  with  white 
markings;    upper  tail  coverts  white.     L.    18.     W.   10.     T.    7^. 
Mexican,  straying  to  S.  111.     (Lat.,  striped.) 

423.  ARCHIBUTEO  Brehm.     (Lat.  archi,  chief ;   Buteo.) 
a.  Bill  small  and  weak,  its  gape,  from  corner  to  corner,  If  inches. 

816.  A.  lagopus  (Briinnich).    ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK.    BLACK 
HAWK.     Chiefly  whitish,  rusty  streaked ;  but  sometimes  entirely 
black.     L.  24.     W.  18.     T.  10.     Northern  regions.     The  Amer- 
ican form,  var.  sancti-johannis  (Gmelin)  is  darker  and  more  rusty 
than  European.     (Eu.}     (Xayws,  hare  ;  irovs,  foot.) 

aa.  Bill  strong,  the  gape  1|  inches  wide  from  corner  to  corner  of  mouth. 

817.  A.    ferrugineus    (Lichtenstein).     Rusty    brown,    marked 
with  gray,  white,  and  black ;    sometimes   plain   dark  chocolate- 
brown.     L.  23.     W.  17.     T.  10.     W.  N.  Am.,  E.  to  111. 

424.  AQUILA  Brisson.     (Lat.,  eagle.) 

818.  A.    chrysaetos    (L.).     GOLDEN    EAGLE.     Glossy    dark 
brown  ;  head  and  neck  paler  tawny  brown ;  quills  blackish ;   tail 
clouded  with  whitish  at  base.     L.  36.     W.  25.     T.  16.     Northern 
regions,  less  common  than  the  Bald  Eagle,  in  the  U.  S.     (Eu.) 
(xpvo-o?,  gold;  dfros,  eagle.) 

425.  HALIJEETUS  Savigny.     (oAs,  sea ;  dcros,  eagle.) 

819.  H.  leucocephalus  (L.).     BALD  EAGLE.     Dark  brown  ; 
head,  neck,  and  tail  white  (after  the  third  year) ;   bill  and  feet 
yellow.     L.  36.     W.  25.     T.  14.     N.  Am.,  everywhere.     "Com- 
mon, for  an  eagle;  a  piratical  parasite  of  the  Osprey,  otherwise 
notorious  as  the   emblem  of   the  Republic."     (Cowes.) 

white ;  Kf^aXf],  head.) 


260  AVES:   KAPTOIiES. — XLI. 

426.  FALCO  Linnaeus.     FALCONS.     (Lat.,  falcon.) 
a.  First  primary  only  emarginate  on  inner  web;  tarsal  plates  small;  sexes 

colored  alike. 

b.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw. 

c.  Tarsus  feathered  in  front  more  than  half  way  down.    (Hierqfalco 
Cuvier.) 

820.  P.   rusticolus    (L.).     GRAY   GYRFALCON.    Bluish   gray 
above  with  dark  bands ;  lower  tail  coverts  always  with  ashy ;  young 
plain   above,  streaky  below.     L.   24.  W.  16.     T.   10.     Northern 
regions  ;  var.  obsoletus,    S.  to  U.  S.  in  winter.    This  form  is  darker, 
the  lower  parts  chiefly  dusky.     (Eu.}    (Lat.  rural.) 

cc.  Tarsus  not  feathered  more  than  half  way  down  in  front.     ( Gennaia 
Kaup.) 

821.  F.  mexicanus   Schlegel.     PRAIRIE    FALCON.     Grayish 
brown,  more  or  less  barred  and  streaked.     L.  18.     W.  14.     T.  8. 
S.  W.,  E.  to  111.,  allied  to  the  Lanier  of  Europe. 

bb.  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe,  scarcely  feathered  below  heel  joint. 
(Rhynchodon  Nitsch.) 

822.  F.   peregrinus   Tunstall.     PEREGRINE   FALCON.     DUCK 
HAWK.    Blackish  ash  with  paler  waves  ;  top  of  head  black  ;  below 
whitish ;  black  cheek  patches.     L.  16.     W.  13.     T.  7.     Northern 
regions,  not  very  common ;  the  American  bird,  var.  anatum  Bona- 
parte, has  the  breast  unstreaked.     (Eu.) 

aa.  Two  primaries  emarginate;  tarsal  plates  enlarged  in  front,  appearing 

like  scutella. 

d.  Tarsus  about  equal  to  middle  toe ;  basal  joints  of  toes  with  small  hex- 
agonal scales.     (^Esalon  Kaup.) 

823.  F.  columbarius  L.     PIGEON  HAWK.     AMERICAN  MER- 
LIN.    Ashy  blue  or  brownish  above  with  darker  streaks  ;   lower 
parts  whitish  or  buffy,  streaked  with  brown  ;    middle  tail  feathers 
in  £  with  about  4  black  bands  ;  in  9  with  about  6  pale  bands. 
L.  13.    W.  8.     T.  5.     U.  S.     (Lat.,  pertaining  to  a  pigeon.) 

dd.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  ;   basal  joints  of  toes  with  transverse 
scutella.     (Tinnunculus  Vieillot.) 

824.  F.  sparverius  L.     SPARROW  HAWK.    RUSTY  CROWNED 
FALCON.    Back  tawny ;  wings  bluish  and  black  in  £  ;  seven  black 
blotches  about  head  ;    tail  chestnut,  with  a  broad  black  band  in 
<£,  and  a  narrow  terminal  one  of  white  ;  below  white  or  tawny. 
9    different,  more  streaky,  the  tail  tawny  with  numerous  narrow 
darker  bars ;  back  and  wing  coverts  rusty  barred  with  black.     One 
of  the  most  active  and  courageous  of  the  hawks ;  a  genuine  falcon, 
notwithstanding    its   small    size.      L.    11.     W.   7.     T.  5.     U.   S., 
abundant.     (Lat.,   relating  to  a  sparrow.) 


STRIGHLE.  —  CLIV.  261 

427.  PANDION  Savigny.     (irav8ia>v,  a  name  in  mythology.) 

825.  P.  haliaetus  (L.).    OSPREY.    FISH  HAWK.    Dark  brown; 
tail  grayish  with  narrow  dark  bars;  head  neck  and  lower  parts 
mostly  white ;    9  with  the  breast  more  spotted ;  feet  very  large. 
L.  24.     W.  20.     T.  10.     In  most  parts  of  the  world,  about  water, 
an  expert  fisher.     The  American  bird  is  var.  carolinensis  Gmelin. 
(Gr.,  sea-eagle.) 

FAMILY  CLIV.  STRIGID^B.  (THE  BARN  OWLS.) 
A  small  family  including  those  owls  which  have  long  faces,  the 
facial  disk  being  complete  and  subtriangular.  All  these  have  the 
sternum  entire  behind,  with  a  central  emargination,  the  furculum 
grown  fast ;  the  middle  and  inner  toes  are  about  equal  in  length, 
and  the  middle  claw  is  pectinate  below.  Genera  2,  species  6  or  8, 
chiefly  of  Asia  and  Europe. 

a.  Wings  long,  pointed,  reaching  beyond  tail  when  folded ;  no  ear  tufts ;  tar- 
sus scant-feathered ;  bill  pale  ;  eyes  black STRIX,  428. 

428.  STRIX  Linnaeus.     (Lat.  screech-owl.) 

826.  S.     pratincola     Bonaparte.      BARN    OWL.     Tawny  of 
various   shades,    very  finely  mottled,  streaked,   and   dotted   with 
darker;    below   pale,  with  some   spots.     L.   17.     W.   13.    T.  5|. 
N.  Am.,  chiefly  S.,  a  handsome,  solemn-looking,  and  fierce  little 
owl.     (Lat.,  inhabitant  of  fields.) 

FAMILY  CLV.    BUBONID^J.     (THE  OWLS.) 

Head  very  large,  shortened  lengthwise  and  greatly  expanded 
laterally,  the  eyes  directed  forwards  and  partly  surrounded  by  a 
more  or  less  complete  circular  disk  of  radiating  feathers  of  peculiar 
texture ;  loral  feathers  antrorse,  long  and  dense ;  feathers  on  the 
sides  of  forehead  often  elongated  into  ear-like  tufts.  Plumage  very 
soft  and  lax,  rendering  the  flight  almost  noiseless ;  its  colors  blended 
and  mottled  so  as  to  baffle  description.  External  ear  very  large, 
often  provided  with  a  movable  flap.  Outer  toe  reversible ;  claws 
very  sharp,  long,  and  strong ;  inner  toe  shorter  than  middle ;  mid- 
dle claw  not  pectinate.  Sternum  double  notched  or  fenestrate  ; 
furculum  free.  Eggs  nearly  spherical,  pure  white.  Chiefly  noc- 
turnal. Sexes  colored  alike,  9  usually  the  larger.  Owls  are 
found  in  every  part  of  the  globe,  and  most  of  the  species  have  a 
wide  range.  Their  habits  are  too  well  known  to  need  description 
here. 
a.  Tarsus  fully  feathered. 

b.  Eye  in  the  centre  of  a  nearly  complete  circular  disk ;  external  ear  larger 

than  eye,  with  a  well  developed  opercle. 

c.  Ear-tufts  present,  sometimes  very  short ;  cere  longer  than  rest  of  cul- 
men;  iris  yellow Asio,  429. 


262  AVES:   RAPTORES.  —  XLI. 

cc.  Ear-tufts  not  evident;  cere  short. 
d.  Tail  about  §  wing. 
e.  Eyes  not  small,  the  iris  dusky;  5  outer  primaries  emarginate. 

SYKNIUM,  430. 
ee.  Eyes  rather  small,  the  iris  yellow;  six  outer  primaries  sinuate; 

bill  small SCOTIAPTEX,  431. 

dd.  Tail  short,  nearly  even,  about  half  wing  ;  iris  yellow.    ' 

NYCTALA,  432. 

bb.  Eye  nearer  top  than  bottom  of  a  more  or  less  incomplete  disk ;  external 
ear  not  larger  than  eye,  without  developed  opercle ;  iris  yellow. 
f.  Head  with  very  conspicuous  ear-tufts. 

g.  Tail  about  £  wing  ;  bill  pale MEGASCOPS,  433. 

gg.  Tail  about  §  wing;  bill  blackish BUBO,  434. 

fj.  Head  without  evident   "ear-tufts;"    (these  rudimentary  in 
Nycted). 

A.  Tail  rounded;  plumage  chiefly  white.       .      NYCTEA,  435. 

hh.  Tail  graduated ;  plumage  not  white.       .    .  SURNIA,  436. 

aa.  Tarsus  nearly  naked,  its  length  more  than  twice  middle  toe ;  facial  disk 

imperfect;  no  ear-tufts SPEOTYTO,  437. 

429.  A3IO  Brisson. 
a.  Ear-tufts  well  developed,  of  8  to  12  feathers.    ( Asia.) 

827.  A.  wilsonianus   (Lesson).      LONG-EARED    OWL.      One 
primary  emarginate.     Dusky,,  more  or  less  mottled  and  streaked 
with  buffy  and  grayish,  much  variegated  below.     L.  15.     W.  12. 
T.  6.     N.  Am.,  often  using  deserted  crow's  nests. 

aa.  Ear-tufts  inconspicuous,  few  feathered.    (Brachyotus  Gould.) 

828.  A.  accipitrinus    (Pallas).     SHORT-EARED   OWL.     Two 
outer  primaries  usually  emarginate.     Buffy  whitish,  striped  with 
dark  brown,  the  dark   streaks  narrower  below.     L.  15.     W.  12. 
T.  6.     Nearly  cosmopolitan,  not  rare  in  U.  S.     (Eu.) 

430.  SYRNIUM  Savigny. 

829.  S.  nebulosum  (Forster).     BARRED  OWL.     Toes  not  con- 
cealed.    Olive  brown,  barred  with  white  above ;  breast  similarly 
barred ;  belly  streaked.     L.  18.     W.  14.     T.  9.     E.  N.  Am.,  com- 
mon ;  the  most  noisy  of  our  owls,  but  rather  mild  in  temper. 

431.  SCOTIAPTEX  Swainson.     (O-KOTIOS,  dark  ;  nrcpv£,  wing.) 

830.  S.  cinereum  (Gmelin).     GREAT  GRAY  OWL.     SPECTRAL 
OWL.     Toes  concealed  by  long  feathers.     Cinereous  brown  above, 
waved  with  white;  breast  streaked,  belly  barred.     L.  30.     W.  18. 
T.  12.     Northern,  occasionally  S.  in  winter  to  N.  J.  and  111. ;  a 
huge  bird,  one  of  the  largest  of  owls.     (Uw.)     (Lat.,  ashy.) 

432.  NYCTALA  Brehm.     (j/uicraXos-,  drowsy.) 

831.  N.  tengmalmii  (Gmelin).     SPARROW  OWL.     Bill  yellow ; 
cere  not  tumid  ;  nostrils  obliquely  oval,  opening  laterally.     Choco- 


BUBONID.E.  —  CLV.  263 

late  brown,  striped  with  white ;  below  white,  striped  with  brown. 
L.  10.  W.  1\.  T.  4£.  Northern  regions,  S.  to  N.  U.  S. ;  the 
American  var.  richardsoni  Bonaparte,  is  larger  and  darker.  (EnS) 
(To  P.  G.  Tengmalm,  a  Swedish  naturalist.) 

832.  N.  acadica  (Gmelin).    SAW-WHET  OWL.    Bill  black  ;  cere 
tumid  ;  nostrils  nearly  circular,  opening  anteriorly.     Color  similar, 
less  white  above,  more  reddish  below.     L.  8.     W.  5f.     T.  2£.    N. 
Amer.,  rather  northerly. 

433.  MEGASCOPS  Kaup.     (peyas,  great ;  <TK&>\//>,  screech-owl.) 

833.  M.   asio   (L.).     SCREECH   OWL.    RED   OWL.      Grayish, 
streaked  and  barred,  or  else  with  the  grayish  replaced  by  bright 
reddish ;  these  two  different  styles  of  plumage  about  equally  com- 
mon and  bearing  no  relation  to  age,  sex,  or  season.     L.  10.     W.  7. 
T.  3^.     N.  Am.,  abundant ;  our  commonest  owl. 

434.  BUBO  Dumeril.     (Lat.,  horned  owl.) 

834.  B.  virginianus  (Gmelin).     GREAT  HORNED  OWL.    Black, 
gray,  and  buffy,  variously  mottled  and  barred  ;  usually  a  whitish 
half-collar;    ear  tufts  large,  their  feathers  mostly  black.     L.   22. 
W.  16.     T.  10.     N.  Am.,  abundant;  one  of  the  strongest  and  most 
courageous  of  the  owls. 

435.  NYCTBA  Stephens.     (WKTCVS,  nocturnal.) 

835.  N.  nyctea  (L.).     SNOWY  OWL.    Pure  white,  more  or  less 
barred  with  blackish.     L.  23.     W.  17.     T.  10.     Northern  regions, 
not  rare  ;  whole  U.  S.  in  winter ;  the  handsomest  of  owls.     (Eu.) 

436.  SURNIA  Dume'ril.     (Meaning  unknown.) 

836.  S.  ulula  (L.).     HAWK  OWL.     DAY  OWL.    Brown,  much 
mottled  and  barred ;  head  with  white  spots ;  a  dark  collar  about 
neck;  lower  parts  barred,  brown  and  white;  tail  barred.     L.  16. 
W.   9.     T.   7.     Northern   regions,  S.  to  Wis.  and   Mass.     (Eu.) 
The  American  bird,  darker  in  color,  is  var.  caparoch  (Miiller). 
(Lat.,  owl;  an  imitation  of  the  bird's  note.) 

437.  SPEOTYTO  Gloger.     ((nreoy,  cave  ;  rurw,  a  kind  of  owl.) 

837.  S.   cunicularia  (Mol.).     BURROWING  OWL.     Brownish, 
much  spotted,  barred,  and  variegated  with  whitish.     L.  10.     W.  7^. 
T.  4.      W.   America,  very  abundant  W.,  living  in  the  holes   of 
prairie  dogs,  accidental  E.     Our  form  is  var.  hypogaea  (Bonaparte), 
its  lower  parts  buffy.     (Lat.,  burrower.) 

ORDER  XLII.    PSITTACI.     (THE  PARROTS.) 

"  Fruyivorous  Raptores"  bill  enormously  thick,  cered  at  base  and 
strongly  hooked ;  tongue  thick  and  fleshy.     Feet  zygodactyle  by 


264  AVES:  PSITTACI.  —  XLII. 

reversion  of  outer  toe;  tarsus  reticulate.  Tongue  short,  fleshy; 
upper  jaw  unusually  movable.  Altricial.  Plumage  often  brilliant. 
In  all  warm  regions.  Genera  26;  species  354,  nearly  half  of  which 
are  American.  All  of  the  latter,  and  many  of  the  Old  World 
forms,  belong  to  the  principal  family,  Psittacidce. 

Families  of  Psittaci. 
a.  Carotids  two,  the  left  superficial.      . PSITTACIDJE,  156. 

FAMILY  CLVL    PSITTACIDuB.    (THE  PARROTS.) 

Parrots  with  two  carotid  arteries,  the  left  superficial.  This  great 
group  includes  the  great  majority  of  the  parrots,  —  all  of  the  Ameri- 
can species. 

o.  Ambiens  muscle  present:  a  tufted  oil-gland ;  furculum  complete.   (Arince.) 

b.  Face  entirely  feathered  except  a  curve  about  the  eye ;  tail  graduated,  the 

feathers  narrowed CONUKUS,  438. 

438.  CONURUS  Kuhl.     (K&VOS,  cone  ;  ovpa,  tail.) 

838.  C.  carolinensis  (L.).  CAROLINA  PAROQUET.  Green; 
head  and  neck  yellow  ;  face  orange  red  ;  wings  with  blue  and  yel- 
low ;  bill  white;  cere  feathered.  L.  13.  W.  1\.  T.  6.  South- 
western, formerly  N.  to  the  Great  Lakes  ;  now  nearly  exterminated, 
except  in  Fla. 

FICARIJE. 

NOTE.  —  Between  the  Parrots  and  the  Singing  Birds  comes  the  series 
or  so-called  order  of  Picarice,  a  highly  diversified  group  including  all  the 
non -passerine  land  birds,  except  the  pheasants,  doves  and  birds  with  cered 
and  hooked  bill.  In  all,  the  hind  toe  is  small  (if  present),  and  sometimes 
elevated  ;  its  claw  is  usually  shorter  than  that  of  middle  toe.  The  wing 
coverts  are  larger  and  in  more  numerous  series  than  in  the  Passeres.  The 
primaries  are  10  in  number,  the  first  rarely  short ;  tail  usually  of  10 
feathers.  Sternum  non-passerine  ;  musical  apparatus  imperfect  ;  tarsus 
never  presenting  an  undivided  ridge  behind.  Nature  altricial. 

Recent  writers  usually  subdivide  the  Picarice  into  three  groups,  which 
are  recognized  as  distinct  orders  by  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union, 
under  the  names  of  Coccyges,  Pici  and  Macrochires.  The  last  two  are 
natural  groups  and  well  defined  by  anatomical  characters.  The  Coccyges, 
however,  are  scarcely  less  varied  than  the  Picarice,  of  which  they  form 
the  greater  part.  Dr.  Coues  says  :  "  I  have  no  faith  whatever  in  the 
integrity  of  any  such  grouping  as  Picarice  implies,  but  if  I  should  break 
up  this  conventional  assemblage,  I  should  not  know  what  to  do  with  the 
fragments."  The  so-called  order  Acanthopteri  among  fishes  is  a  case 
somewhat  parallel. 


CUCULIDJE.  —  CLVII.  265 

ORDER  XLIII.    COCCYGES.    (THE  CUCKOO-LIKE  BIRDS.) 

This  order  includes  the  majority  of  the  Picarian  birds,  some  15 
families,  not  having  very  much  in  common,  except  that  they  lack 
the  special  peculiarities  of  the  Pici  and  the  Macrochires.  "  The 
sternum  is  usually  notched  behind  ;  the  syringeal  muscles  are  two 
pairs  at  most."  Feet  generally  short,  the  toes  variously  arranged. 
Palate  desmognathous.  The  group  is  "  a  mixed  lot  requiring  to 
be  reconstructed  by  exclusion  of  some  of  the  families  entering  into 
its  composition."  (Coues).  (KO«KU£,  cuckoo.) 

Families  of  Coccyges. 

a.  Toes  2  in  front,  2  behind;  bill  as  long  as  head,  compressed,  the  toraia  en- 
tire; nostrils  exposed;  no  rictal  bristles;  toes  cleft  to  base. 

CUCULID^E,  157. 

aa.  Toes  3  in  front,  1  behind;  bill  straight,  longer  than  head;  feet  syndactyle, 
the  outer  and  middle  toes  grown  together  for  half  their  length;  tarsus 
very  short ALCEDINID.E,  158. 

FAMILY  CLVII.     CUCULID^E.     (THE  CUCKOOS.) 

Bill  compressed,  lengthened,  without  rictal  bristles  or  nasal 
tufts.  Tongue  not  extensible.  Tarsus  long,  nearly  naked ;  toes 
not  webbed.  Feet  zygodactyle,  by  reversion  of  fourth  toe.  Spe- 
cies about  200,  in  various  parts  of  the  world.  (Lat.,  cuculus, 
cuckoo.) 
a.  Tail  feathers  10;  bill  gently  curved;  plumage  blended;  arboreal. 

COCCYZUS,  439. 
439.  COCCYZUS  Vieillot. 

839.  C.  americanus  (L.).    YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO.     "  RAIN 
CROW."     Color  lustrous  drab;  bill  yellow  below;  wings  with  much 
cinnamon  red  ;  middle  tail  feathers  like  the  back ;  outer  ones  black, 
with  broad  white  tips.     L.  12.     W.  5£.     T.  6.     N.  Am. 

840.  C.  erythrophthalmus  (Wilson).    BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO. 
Lustrous  drab  ;  bill  chiefly  black ;  wings  with  little  or  no  reddish  ; 
tail  feathers  all  brownish,  obscurely  whitish  at  tips.      L.  ll|-.     W. 
5.    T.  6^.     E.  1ST.  Am.,  more  common  E.    (cpvOpos,  red;  o(/>#aA^oV, 
eye.) 

FAMILY  CLVIII.    ALCEDINID^E.     (THE  KINGFISHERS.) 

Head  large ;  bill  long,  straight  and  strong,  usually  longer  than 
head ;  gape  deep,  tomia  not  serrate.  Wings  long ;  tail  short. 
Legs  quite  small ;  feet  syndactyle,  —  the  outer  and  middle  toes 
united  half  their  length,  with  a  continuous  sole  beneath;  tibia  naked 
below.  Tail  feathers  12.  Species  about  100,  chiefly  of  the  tropical 
parts  of  the  Old  World  and  Australia.  Many  of  them  feed  upon 
fishes,  and  nearly  all  are  remarkable  for  their  brilliant  metallic 


266  AYES:  PICI.  —  XLIV. 

coloration.     In  many  the  bill  is  disproportionately  large.     (Lat., 
alcedo,  kingfisher.) 

a.  Bill  compressed,  the  culmen  carinate;  head  crested;  aquatic,  feeding  on 
fishes CERYLE,  440. 

440.  CERYLE  Boie.     (itrjpvXos,  kingfisher.) 

841.  C.  alcyon  (L.).  BELTED  KINGFISHER.  Ashy  blue  above, 
a  bluish  band  across  breast ;  white  below ;  tail  black,  speckled  and 
barred  with  white  ;  9  with  sides  and  band  across  belly  chestnut. 
L.  13.  W.  6.  T.  3£.  B.  2.  N.  Am.,  everywhere  common. 
(Lat.,  kingfisher.) 

ORDER  XLIV.    PICI.     (THE  WOODPECKERS  AND 
WRYNECKS.) 

A  small  order  composed  of  the  Woodpeckers,  and  two  closely 
related  families.  Feet  zygodactyle,  the  outer  toe  permanently  re- 
versed, the  hind  toe  wanting  in  one  genus  ;  metatarsus  modified  in 
connection  with  the  reversed  toe;  wing  with  10  primaries  and  short 
secondary  coverts ;  tail  with  10  quills,  besides  which,  in  the  wood- 
peckers, is  an  outer  pair  of  partly  concealed  spurious  quills ;  bill 
straight,  hard  and  strong ;  palate  saurognathous  ;  sternum  double- 
notched  behind  ;  salivary  glands  large.  (Lat.,  picus,  woodpecker.) 
a.  Nostrils  covered  by  feathers ;  tail  feathers  rigid  and  acute.  PICID^E,  159. 

FAMILY  CLIX.    PICID^J.     (THE  WOODPECKERS.) 

Bill  stout,  usually  straight,  with  the  tip  truncate  or  acute,  fitted 
for  hammering  or  boring  into  wood.  Tongue  long,  flattish,  barbed, 
capable  of  great  protrusion,  adapted  for  securing  insects  (except  in 
Sphyrapicus) ;  hyoid  apparatus  peculiar,  its  horns  generally  quite 
long,  curving  around  the  skull  behind  and  over  forward  again  to 
the  ear  or  beyond.  Feet  zygodactyle,  the  hind  toe  sometimes  want- 
ing ;  claws  compressed,  sharp  and  strong.  Tail  feathers  1 2,  rigid 
and  acuminate,  the  outer  pair  short,  concealed  ;  tail  never  forked  ; 
nasal  tufts  present. 

Chiefly  arboreal ;  all  (except  Sphyrapicus,  which  is  truly  a  "  Sap- 
Sucker,")  are  pre-eminently  insectivorous.  For  this  reason  these 
birds  are  of  the  greatest  service  to  the  farmer.  Voice  loud  and 
harsh.  Colors  generally  bright,  the  male  at  least  having  almost  al- 
ways red  on  the  head;  sexes  usually  slightly  different.  Species 
250,  abundant  almost  everywhere, 
a.  Outer  hind  toe  longer  than  outer  anterior  (middle)  toe. 

b.  Head  with  a  conspicuous  crest;  (size  very  large;  bill  pale). 

CAMPEPHILUS,  441. 

bb.  Head  not  crested. 

c.  Tongue  pointed,  highly  extensible,  as  usual  among  woodpeckers ;  (no 
yellowish  on  belly). 


PICID^E.  —  CLIX.  267 

d.  Hind  toes  2;  nasal  groove  running  nearly  to  tip  of  bill,  which  is  not 

much  compressed  toward  tip DKYOBATES,  442. 

dd.  Hind  toe  single  (the  real  hind  toe  wanting);  bill  broad,  much 

compressed PICOIDES,  443. 

cc.  Tongue  obtuse,  brushy,  scarcely  extensible ;   nasal  groove  miming 
into  tomium  near  middle  of  bill.;   bill  evidently  compressed  to- 
wards its  tip;  (belly  more  or  less  yellowish).    SPHYRAPICUS,  444. 
aa.  Outer  toe  not  longer  than  outer  anterior  toe. 

e.  Head  conspicuously  crested;  (size  large;  bill  dark). 

CEOPHIXEUS,  445. 
ee.  Head  not  crested. 
f.  Upper  mandible  with  a  distinct  low  lateral  ridge,  the  tip  more 

or  less  truncate MELANERPES,  446. 

ff.  Upper  mandible  without  distinct  lateral  ridge  or  nasal  groove, 
the  tip  scarcely  truncate COLAPTES,  447. 

441.  CAMPEPHILUS  Gray.     (/ca/iTn;,  caterpillar ;  $[\os,  loving.) 

842.  C.  principalis  (L.).   IVORY-BILLED  WOODPECKER.    Black 
with  white  on  shoulders  and  wings  ;  crest  scarlet  in  £ ,  black  in  <j>  • 
L.  21.     W.  11.     T.  8.     Southern,  formerly  N.  to  S.  111. 

442.  DRYOBATES  Boie.     (Spvy,  oak  ;  ^drrjs,  walker.) 
a.  Back  black,  with  a  long  white  stripe ;  sides  usually  white. 

843.  D.  villosus  (L.).      HAIRY  WOODPECKER.      BIG   SAP- 
SUCKER.     Spotted  and  lengthwise  streaked,  but  not  banded;  outer 
tail  feathers  wholly  white.    L.  9.    W.  5.    T.  3£.    A  scarlet  nuchal 
band  in  $  only.     N.  Arn.,  common. 

844.  D.  pubescens  (L.).     DOWNY  WOODPECKER.      LITTLE 
SAP-SUCKER.    Outer  tail  feathers  white,  barred  with  black;  other- 
wise precisely  like  the  other,  but  much  smaller.      L.  6^.      W.  3-|. 
T.  2f.     N.  Am.,  common. 

aa .  Back  black,  barred  with  white ;  sides  usually  spotted  or  streaked  with 
black. 

845.  D.  borealis  (Vieillot).      KED-COCKADED   WOODPECKER. 
Black  and  white,  spotted  and  crosswise  banded,  but  not  streaked  ; 
a  red  line  on  each  side  of  head  in  $.    L.  8£.     W.  4J.     T.  3£. 
S.  E.  U.  S.,  in  swamps,  N.  to  Penn. 

443.  PICOIDES  Lacepede.     (Picus;  «8oy,  resemblance.) 

846.  P.  arcticus  (Swainson).     BLACK-BACKED  WOODPECKER. 
Black  and  white ;  no  white  on  back  or  top  of  head ;  crown  yellow 
in  £,  plain  in  ?.      L.  9.     W.  5.     T.  3f.     N.  Am..  S.  in  winter, 
to  N.  U.  S. 

847.  P.  americanus  Brehm.     Back  with  white  bars  or  a  white 
stripe;  usually  more  or  less  white  on  head;  otherwise  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding.     L.  8.     W.  4J.      T.  3£.      Arctic  Amer.,  S.  in  winter  to 
N.  E. 


268  AVES  :  PICI.  —  XLIV. 

444.  SPHYRAPICUS  Baird.     (<r(pvpa,  hammer;  Pzcws.) 

848.  S.  varius  (L.).    YELLOW-BELLIED  WOODPECKER.    Black 
and  whitish  above ;  black  on  breast ;  rump  mixed  black  and  white ; 
belly  more  or  less  yellowish ;  sides  streaked  with  dusky ;  a  white 
wing  patch ;  quills  with  white  spots  ;  crown  red  in  adult  g  and 
usually  9  also  5  chin  scarlet,  throat  black  in  $ ;  both  white  in  9 , 
young  dull  brownish.     L.  8£.     W.  4|.      T.  3J.     N.  Am.,  not  rare, 
the  only  woodpecker  which  ever  injures  trees. 

445.  CEOPHLCBUS  Cabanis.     (Hylatomus l  Baird.) 
(«'«,  to  split ;  (p\oios,  bark.) 

849.  C.  pileatus  (L.).    LOGCOCK.    Black;  white  streak  down 
neck ;   crest  and  cheek  ,patch  scarlet  in  J1  ;   cheeks  and  front  of 
crest  black  in  9.     L.  18.     W.  9£.     T.  7.     N.  Am.;  in  heavy  tim- 
ber, a  shy  bird,  now  becoming  rare.     (Lat.,  capped.) 

446.  MEL ANERPES  Swainson.     (n&as,  black ;  epTnjs,  creeper.) 
a.  Back,  scapulars  and  wing-coverts  glossy  blue-black  (grayish  in  young). 
(Malanerpes.) 

850.  M.  erythrocephalus  (L.).     RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 
Whole  head  and  neck  crimson  in  both  sexes,  bordered  below  by 
black ;  belly,  rump,  secondaries,  etc.,  pure  white;  rest  of  body  glossy 
blue-black.     L.  9£.    W.  5J.     T.  3f .     E.  U.  S.,  rare  in  N.  E.,  very 
abundant  W.     (epvQpos,  red ;  KffpaXrj,  head.) 

aa.  Back,  scapulars  and  wings  barred  with  white.    (Centurus  Swainson.) 

851.  M.  carolinus  (L.).     RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER.    Gray- 
ish, much  barred  above  with  black  and  white ;  belly  pale  ashy,  more 
or  less  reddish-tinged;  crown  and  nape  crimson  in  <£,  ashy  in  9- 
L.  9f .     W.  5.     T.  3J.     E.  U.  S.,  rather  S.,  common  W. 

447.  COLAPTES  Swainson.     (KoKairr^s,  chisel.) 

852.  C.  auratus  (L.).  YELLOW-HAMMER.   FLICKER.   GOLDEN- 
WINGED  WOODPECKER.     HIGH-HOLER.     Head  ashy,  with  red 
nuchal  crescent ;  back  drab-color,  barred  with  black ;  rurnp  white  ; 
below  pinkish  brown  shading  into  yellowish ;  a  black  crescent  on 
breast ;  belly  with  numerous  round  black  spots ;  shafts  and  under 
surfaces  of  quills  golden  yellow ;   £  with  a  black  maxillary  patch. 
L.  12J.     W.  6.     T.  4J.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant. 

853.  C.  cafer  (Gmelin).     RED-SHAFTED  FLICKER.     Quills  with 
orange  red  instead  of  golden ;  maxillary  patches  in  $  red  instead 

1  The  earlier  name  Hylatomus  is  set  aside  by  the  A.  O.  U.  on  account  of  the  still 
earlier  Hylotoma,  a  genus  of  Insects.  I  have  elsewhere  maintained  that  "  A  name  is 
a  name  without  necessary  meaning,"  and  therefore  that  generic  names  are  different 
unless  spelled  alike,  even  though  derived  from  the  same  Greek  root.  I  prefer  to  use 
Hylatomus,  Eremophila,  Lagochila,  Lucania,  Icteria,  Cestreus,  Heterodontus,  and  similar 
names,  notwithstanding  their  similarity  to  Hylotoma,  Eremophilus,  Lagocheilus, 
I/ucanus,  Icterus,  Cestrceus,  and  Heterodon. 


CAPEIMULGID.E.  —  GLX.  269 

of  black ;  no  nuchal  crescent ;  no  yellowish  on  belly ;  the  black  spots 
fewer  and  smaller.  L.  14.  W.  6f.  T.  5.  Western,  E.  to  Kan. 
Runs  into  the  preceding,  of  which  it  is  often  considered  a  variety.1 

ORDER  XL V.    MACKOCHIBES.     (THE  SWIFTS  AND 

HUMMING  BIRDS.) 

Fissirostral   and   tenuirostral   Picarice.      Wing  very  long  and 
pointed,  the  fingers  and  primaries  especially  elongate.     Feet  small, 
weak,  with  three  toes  in  front,  one  behind,  the  hind  toe  usually 
somewhat  elevated;  tail-feathers  10;  palate  segithognathous,  as  in 
the  Passeres.     There  are  three  families,  all  represented  within  our 
limits.     (/ia/epoy,  long;  xc'LPi  hand.) 
a.  Bill  fissirostral,  swallow-like;  secondaries  more  than  6. 
b.  Middle  toe  much  longer  than  lateral  toes,  its  claw  pectinate;  rictus  with 

bristles;  plumage  very  soft CAPRIMULGID^E,  160. 

bb'.  Middle  toe  scarcely  longer  than  lateral  toes,  its  claw  not  pectinate;  no 

rictal  bristles ;  plumage  compact MICKOPODID^E,  161. 

aa.  Bill  tenuirostral,  very  long  and  slender;  secondaries  6;   plumage  com- 
pact, with  metallic  lustre TROCHILID^E,  162. 

FAMILY    CLX.      CAPRIMULGID^.      (THE 

GOATSUCKERS.) 

Bill  very  short,  fissirostral,  the  gape  exceedingly  deep  and 
wide,  reaching  to  below  the  eyes,  and  usually  with  prominent  rictal 
bristles.  Wings  long  and  pointed;  secondaries  lengthened.  Plu- 
mage long  and  loose.  Tail  feathers  10.  Feet  very  small;  tarsus 
short ;  toes  slightly  webbed  at  base,  the  middle  claw  pectinate ;  hind 
toe  somewhat  elevated  and  lateral.  Genera  14;  species  100  or 
more,  widely  diffused ;  chiefly  insectivorous,  largely  nocturnal,  and 
of  noiseless  flight,  like  the  owls.  (Lat.,  copra,  goat ;  mulgeo,  to 
suck,  from  an  old  tradition.) 
a.  Rictal  bristles  very  long;  tail  rounded;  tarsus  largely  feathered. 

ANTROSTOMUS,  448. 
aa.  Rictal  bristles  inconspicuous;  tail  emarginate.  .    .    .  CHORDEILES,  449. 

448.  ANTROSTOMUS  Gould,  (avrpov,  cave;  oro/aa,  mouth.) 
a.  Rictal  bristles  with  lateral  branches. 

854.  A.  carolinensis  (Gmelin).    CHUCKWILL'S  WIDOW.    More 
reddish  than  A.  vodferus.    L.  12.    W.  9.    T.  6£.    U.  S.,  K  to  S.  111. 
aa.  Rictal  bristles  simple. 

855.  A.  vociferus  (Wilson).     WHIPPOORWILL.    NIGHT  JAR. 
Grayish,  very  much  variegated  with  blackish  and  buffy ;  pectoral 
bar  and  ends  of  outer  tail  feathers  white  (  $  )  or  tawny  ( <j> ).    L.  10. 
W.  6.    T.  5.     E.  U.   S.,  abundant  in   damp  woods ;    nocturnal ; 
noted  for  its  "  solemn  and  prophetic  cry,"  continually  repeated  in 
the  night. 

1  In  the  west  you  will  find  specimens  auratus  on  one  side  of  body,  cafer  on  the 
other,  tail  gilded  on  some  feathers,  rubricated  on  others.    (Corns.) 


270  AVES  :  MACEOCHIRES.  —  XLV. 


449.  CHORDEILES  Swainson.      (x°ptyi  a  musical  instrument  ; 
dd\T),  evening.) 

856.  C.  virginianus  (Gmelin).     NIGHT  HAWK.     BULL  BAT. 
Blackish,  barred  and  mottled  with  grayish  and  buffy  ;  a  large  wing 
spot,  bar  across  tail,  and  V-shaped  blotch  on  throat  —  white  in  <£, 
tawny  or  obscure  in  9  >  the  wing  spot  placed  in  front  of  tip  of  7th 
quill.     L.  l)£.     W.  8.     T.  5.     N.  Am.,  very  abundant,  flying  high 
in  evening  or  cloudy  weather. 

FAMILY  CLXI.    MICROPODID^E.     (THE  SWIFTS.) 

Bill  fissirostral,  as  in  the  Goatsuckers  and  Swallows.  Wings 
very  long,  thin  and  pointed  ;  secondaries  very  short.  Feet  small, 
weak  ;  hind  toe  often  elevated  or  otherwise  turned  ;  toes  com- 
pletely cleft  ;  middle  claw  not  pectinate  ;  no  rictal  bristles  ;  tail 
feathers  10;  plumage  compact.  In  most  species  the  salivary 
glands  are  highly  developed,  and  their  secretion  is  used  as  a  glue 
in  the  construction  of  the  nest  ;  species  of  Coliocalia  in  China  thus 
form  the  edible  bird's  nest.  Small  birds  of  the  warmer  parts  of 
the  world,  bearing  a  superficial  resemblance  to  Swallows,  but  struc- 
turally very  different,  being  closely  related  to  the  Humming  Birds, 
nearer  to  them  even  than  to  the  Goatsuckers.  Genera  6  or  8  ; 
species  50.  (/u*poy,  small  ;  TTOVS,  foot.) 

a.  Tarsus  bare,  longer  than  middle  toe  ;  tail  rounded,  its  feathers  with  the 
shafts  spinous,  projecting  beyond  the  plumage  .     .     .     CH.ETURA,  450. 

450.  CEL2ETURA  Stephens.     (XCUTJ;,  bristle  ;  ovpd,  tail.) 

857.  C.  pelagica  (L.).     CHIMNEY  SWIFT.     CHIMNEY  SWAL- 
LOW.   Sooty  brown  ;  throat  paler.    L.  5^.    W.  5.    T.  2.    E.  N.  Am. 
abundant  ;  now  nesting  in  chimneys,  as  formerly  in  hollow-trees. 

FAMILY  CLXII.    TROCHILID^J.    (THE  HUMMING  BIRDS.) 

Bill  subulate,  usually  longer  than  the  head,  straight  or  curved  ; 
tongue  capable  of  great  protrusion.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  the 
secondaries  short,  only  6  in  number  ;  tail  of  10  feathers.  Feet 
very  small,  with  long  sharp  claws.  Smallest  of  all  birds  and  among 
the  most  brilliantly  colored.  Genera  75  ;  species  300  or  more,  one 
of  the  largest  families  in  Ornithology.  All  are  American,  and  most 
of  them  tropical,  but  our  common  species  ranges  far  into  Canada. 
Chiefly  insectivorous  ;  not  musical. 

a.  First  primary  not  attenuate,  bowed  or  curved  inwards  ;  bill  straight;  frontal 
feathers  covering  nasal  scale  .........    TROCHILUS,  451. 

451.  TROCHILUS  Linnaeus.     (rpo^i'Xos,  plover.) 

858.  T.  colubris  L.    RUBY-THROATED  HUMMING  BIRD.     $ 
metallic  green    above;    a  ruby-red   gorget  ;   tail  deeply  forked, 


—  CLXII.  271 

uniform  purplish,  its  feathers  narrow ;  9  without  red,  the  tail 
variegated;  no  scales  on  crown.  L.  3^.  W.  If.  T.  1^.  B.  f. 
E.  N.  Am.;  abundant  in  summer, hovering  about  flowers.  (S.  Am. 
name,  Colibri.) 

ORDER  XL VI.     PASSEKES.     (THE  PASSERINE  BIRDS.) 

Toes  always  4  ;  feet  fitted  for  perching ;  the  hind  toe  always  on 
the  level  of  the  rest,  its  claw  at  least  as  long  as  that  of  the  mid- 
dle toe  ;  joints  of  toes  2,  3,  4,  5,  respectively,  from  first  to  fourth  ; 
none  of  the  toes  versatile,  and  none  webbed;  wing  coverts  few, 
chiefly  in  two  series ;  tail  feathers  1 2  ;  primaries  1 0,  but  in  most 
of  the  families  the  first  one  is  reduced  in  size,  and  often  rudimen- 
tary and  displaced ;  musical  apparatus  more  or  less  developed ; 
sternum  of  a  uniform  passerine  pattern ;  palate  gegithognathous. 
Nature  altricial. 

This  order  includes  about  6000  known  species,  or  more  than  half 
of  all  the  kinds  of  birds.  They  represent  the  "  highest  grade  of 
development  and  the  most  complex  organization  of  the  class  ;  their 
high  physical  irritability  is  co-ordinate  with  the  rapidity  of  their 
respiration  and  circulation ;  they  consume  the  most  oxygen  and 
live  the  fastest  of  all  birds."  (Coues.) 

A  considerable  number  of  anatomical  characters  (for  which  see 
Stejneger,  "  Standard  Natural  History,"  p.  458,  f.t  seq.),  are  more 
or  less  perfectly  distinctive  of  the  Passeres.  These  cannot,  how- 
ever, be  discussed  here.  The  group  is  divided,  on  anatomical  charac- 
ters, into  about  5  suborders.  Two  of  these  groups,  the  Clamatores 
and  the  Oscines,  are  represented  in  our  fauna.  The  latter,  charac- 
terized especially  by  the  perfect  musical  apparatus,  comprises  the 
vast  majority  of  the  Passeres.  (Lat,  passer,  sparrow.) 

Families  of  Passeres. 

a.  Tarsus  mth  its  hinder  edge  rounded;  encircled  by  a  single  horny  envelope 
divided  into  scutella  anteriorly  and  on  outer  side,  this  sometimes  ex- 
tending all  round  (though  separated  by  a  seam  along  inner  side),  but 
often  widely  separated  on  inner  side  or  behind  or  both,  the  intervening 
space  occupied  by  granular  scales,  reticulations,  or  plain  naked  skin; 
musical  apparatus  imperfect;  primaries  10,  the  first  about  as  long  as 
second.  (Clamatores.) 

b.  Inner  toe  free  at  base  from  middle  toe;  tarsus  not  reticulate  behind; 
bill  hooked  at  tip,  with  long  rictal  bristles.  .  .  .  TYRANXHXE,  163. 
aa.  Tarsus  with  its  hinder  edge  compressed,  forming  a  sharp,  nearly  undi- 
vided ridge  (except  in  the  Larks,  which  may  be  known  by  the  long, 
nearly  straight  hind  claw);  musical  apparatus  highly  developed;  pri- 
maries properly  ten,  but  the  first  short,  or  spurious,  or  sometimes  rudi- 
mentary and  misplaced,  so  that  but  nine  are  evident,  in  which  case  the 
first  developed  primary  is  about  as  long  as  second.  ( Oscines.) 


272  AVES  :   PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

c.  Hinder  edge  of  tarsus  not  compressed,  rounded  and  scutellate  like 
anterior  edge;  hind  claw  very  long,  straightish;  developed  pri- 
maries 9 ALAUDID^E,  164. 

cc.  Hinder  edge  of  tarsus  compressed,  forming  a  sharp  ridge,  for  the 

most  part  undivided. 

d.  Primaries  apparently  but  9  (the  first  minute  and  displaced) ;  the  first 
developed  (i.  e.  second)  primary  about  as  long  as  the  next;  bill  not 
hooked  at  tip. 
e.  Bill  not  fissirostral,  the  gape  little  longer  than  the  culmen ;  outer 

primary  never  twice  as  long  as  inner. 

f.  Bill  "  conirostral,"  stout  at  base,  with  the  commissure  forming 
a  more  or  less  distinct  angle  at  base  of  bill,  "  the  corners  of 
the  mouth  "  drawn  downward. 
g.  Bill  rather  long,  often  longer  than  head,  without  notch  at  tip 

or  bristles  at  the  rictus ICTERID^E,  166. 

gg.  Bill  shorter  than  head,  often  notched  near  tip,  and  usually 

with  bristles  at  the  rictus FRINGILLIDJE,  167. 

ff.  Bill  not  truly  conirostral  (the  corners  of  mouth  not  evidently 

drawn  downward). 

h.  Bill  stout  (conical  in  our  species,  the  cutting  edge  with  one 
or  more  lobes  or  nicks  near  its  middle);  nostrils  placed 
high,  exposed;  (plumage  chiefly  red  or  yellow,  in  our 

species) TANAGRID^E,  168. 

hh.  Bill  rather  slender,  not  conical;  angle  of  gonys  not  be- 

fere  nostril. 

t.  Hind  claw  short  and  curved,  mostly  shorter  than  its  toe ; 
tertials  not  elongate,  not  nearly  reaching  tips  of  pri- 
maries  MNIOTILTID^E,  173. 

ii.  Hind  claw  long  and  straightish,  mostty  longer  than  its  toe ; 
tertials  much  elongate,  nearly  reaching  tips  of  primaries. 

MOTACILLID^E,    174. 

ee.  Bill  fissirostral,  —  the  culmen  very  short,  the  gape  very  broad, 
its  length  more  than  twice  the  culmen;  wings  very  acute,  the 
outer  primary  more  than  twice  length  of  innermost. 

HIRUNDIXID^:,  169. 

dd.  Primaries  evidently  ten,  the  first  developed,  but  short,  rarelj'  half 
the  length  of  the  next;  (first  primary  obsolete  in  some  Vireos, 
known  by  the  slightly  hooked  bill). 
j.  Tarsus  distinctly  scutellate. 

k.  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  bill 
short,  depressed;  (head  crested  ;  tail  tipped  with  yel- 
low, in  our  species) AMPELID^E,  170. 

kk.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  and  claw  (or  if  not, 
other  characters  not  as  above). 

I.  Bill  strongly  hooked  and  toothed  at  tip,  somewhat 

like  a  hawk's  bill LAHIIDJE,  171. 

II.  Bill  slightly  hooked  at  tip ;  (plumage  more  or  less 

olivaceous). VIREONID^E,  172. 

III.  Bill  not  evidently  hooked  at  tip. 

m.  Tail  feathers  stiff,  pointed;  bill  decurved. 

GERTRUDE,  176. 

mm.  Tail  feathers  more  or  less  soft  and  rounded. 
».  Nasal  feathers  directed  forwards,  usually  cov- 
ering the  nostrils. 


TYRANNIDvE.  —  CLXIH. 

o.  Birds  of  large  size;  (wing  more  than  4) CORVID^E,  165, 

oo.  Birds  of  small  size;  (wing  less  than  4). 

p.  Bill  not  notched PARHXE,  177. 

pp.  Bill  notched  toward  the  tip,  very  slender.   .     .     .     SYLVHD/E,  178. 
tin.  Nasal  feathers  erect  or  directed  backward,  not  covering  nostrils;  bill 
rather  slender,  the  culmen  convex;  first  primary  not  very  short. 

TROGLODYTID^E,  175. 

jj.  Tarsus  booted,  without  distinct  scutella  except  near  the  base ;  rictal  bristles 
present. 

q.  Birds  of  small  size;  (wing  less  than  3);  young  unspotted. 

SYLVIID^E,  178. 
qq.  Birds  of  moderate  size  (wing  more  than  3) ;  young  spotted. 

TURDID^E,  179. 

FAMILY  CLXIII.    TYRANNID-.E.     (THE  FLYCATCHERS.) 

Primaries  10 ;  the  first  more  than  |  length  of  second,  longer  than 
in  any  other  of  our  passerine  birds ;  bill  typically  broad,  triangular, 
depressed,  abruptly  hooked  and  notched  at  tip,  with  long  rictal 
bristles  ;  commissure  nearly  straight ;  nostrils  small,  usually  partly 
concealed.  Tarsus  with  its  back  and  sides  as  well  as  the  front 
covered  with  scutella,  so  that  there  is  no  undivided  ridge  behind, 
as  in  most  other  Passeres.  Feet  small.  Mouth  capacious ;  vocal 
apparatus  mesomyodian,  i.  e.  the  "  syrinx  with  fewer  than  4  dis- 
tinct pairs  of  intrinsic  muscles  inserted  at  the  middle  of  the  upper 
bronchial  half  rings,  constituting  an  uncomplicated  and  ineffective 
musical  apparatus."  (Coues.')  Changes  of  plumage  slight;  ours 
mostly  olivaceous. 

A  large  family  of  80  genera,  and  more  than  300  species ;  all 
American  and  mostly  tropical.  All  are  insectivorous,  most  of 
them  pre-eminently  so  ;  they  are,  therefore,  in  our  latitude, 
migratory. 

a.  Bill  of  typical  form,  depressed,  hooked  at  tip,  with  strong  rictal  bristles. 
b.  Outer  primaries,  one  or  more  of  them,  attenuate  ;  crown  in  adult  with  a 

concealed  red  or  yellow  crest, 
c.  Tail  deeply  forked,  much  longer  than  wings.     .     .     .  MILVULUS,  452. 

cc.  Tail  not  forked,  not  longer  than  wings TYRANNUS,  453. 

bb.  Outer  primaries  not  attenuate;  crown  without  concealed  bright-colored 
crest. 

d.  [Wings  and  tail  with  chestnut;  length  8  or  more];  head  slightly 

crested  ;  wings  little  longer  than  tail.     .    .    .      MYIARCHUS,  454. 

dd.  [Wings  and  tail  without  chestnut;  general  color  olivaceous;  length 

less  than  8.] 
e.  Wings  at  least  6  times  as  long  as  tarsus;  (W.  3  to  4|). 

CONTOPUS,  456. 
ee.  Wings  not  more  than  5  times  as  long  as  tarsus,  little  longer  than 

tail. 
f.  Bill  rather  narrow  (black  in  our  species;  wing  more  than  3J). 

SAYORNIS,  455. 

ff.  Bill  broad  (usually  pale  below  in  our  species ;  wing  less  than  3£). 

EMPIDONAX,  457. 
18 


274  AVES:  PASSERES. —  XLVL 

452.  MILVULUS  Swainson,     (Lat.,  milvus,  kite.) 

859.  M.  tyrannus  (L.).     FORK-TAILED  FLYCATCHER.    Lar- 
ger than  next ;  no  red  ;  tail  black,  still  more  elongate.     Tropical, 
straying  N.  to  N.  J.  and  Ky. 

860.  M.  forficatus  (Gmelin).    SCISSOR-TAIL.    Ashy;  tail  chiefly 
white;  crissum,  shoulders,  sides,  etc.,  with  much  red.    L.  13.    W.  5. 
T.  8.    S.  W.,  N.  to  Mo.,  straying  E.    (Lat.,  forked,  like  scissors.) 

453.  TYRANNUS  Cuvier.     (rvpavvos,  ruler.) 

861.  T.  tyrannus  (L.).     KING  BIRD.     BEE  MARTIN.     Black- 
ish, white  below;  crown-patch  orange;  tail  black,  white-tipped.     L. 
8£.     W.  4f.     T.  SJ.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  E.;  very  abundant.     "De- 
stroys a  thousand  noxious  insects  for  every  bee  it  eats !  "     (Cowes.) 

862.  T.  verticalis  Say.     ARKANSAS  KING-BIRD.     Ashy-gray; 
yellow  below;  tail  black,  white-edged.     W.  N.  Am.,  straying  E. 
(Lat.,  vertex,  top  of  head,  which  is  ornate.) 

454.    MYIARCHUS  Cabanis.      (/utna,  fly  ;  dpxos,  ruler.) 

863.  M.    crinitus    (L.).      GREAT    CRESTED    FLYCATCHER. 

Scarcely  crested ;  olivaceous,  with  bright  chestnut  on  wings  and 
tail ;  breast  ashy-gray ;  belly  clear  yellow.  L.  8f .  W.  4.  T.  4. 
E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  S.,  N.  to  N.  Wis.  A  handsome  bird,  «  noted  for 
the  habitual  use  of  cast-off  snake  skins  in  the  structure  of  its  nest." 
(Lat.,  crested.) 

455.  SAYORNIS  Bonaparte.     (Say;  Zpvis,  bird.) 

864.  S.  phoebe   (Latham).     PEWEE.      PHCEBE.     Olive  brown, 
head  and  tail  darker ;  yellow  or  whitish  below.     L.  7.    W.  3£.     T. 
3£.    E.  U.  S.,  abundant ;  known  by  its  black  bill.    (From  the  bird's 
note.) 

865..  S.  saya  Bonaparte.  Ashy-brown,  the  belly  pale  cinnamon, 
the  tail  black.  L.  8.  W.  4.  T.  3f .  W.  U.  S.,  E.  to  Iowa.  (To 
Thomas  Say.) 

456.  CONTOPUS  Cabanis.     (KOVTOS,  pole ;  TTOVS,  foot.) 

a.  Tarsus  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  wing  about  half  longer  than 
tail;  a  white  cottony  patch,  on  each  side  of  rump.  (Nuttallornis  Ridg- 
way.) 

866.  C.  borealis  (Swainson).  OLIVE -SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 
Rictal  bristles  short,  one-fourth  length  of  bill ;  slaty  brown  above, 
with  darker  streaks ;  quills  blackish ;  middle  line  of  belly  distinctly 
and  abruptly  white,  otherwise  grayish  below.  L.  7^.  W.  4£.  T. 
3.  N.  N.  Am.,  S.  to  N.  Y. ;  in  mts.  and  pine  forests. 

aa.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  wing  not  £  longer  than  tail:  no 
conspicuous  cottony  tuft.     (  Contopus.) 


ALAUDID.E.  —  CLXIV.  275 

867.  C.  virens  (L.).    WOOD  PEWEE.    Rictal  bristles  half  length 
of  bill ;   wing  bands  whitish  or  rusty ;  olive  brown  above ;  pale  or 
yellowish  below ;  lower  mandible  usually  pale.     L.  6^.     W.  3^.  T. 
2|.     B.  ^.     U.  S.,  very  abundant ;  known  from  the  common  Pewee 
by  its  drawling  notes.     (Lat.,  greenish.) 

868.  C.  richardsoni  (Swainson).     Darker  and  less  olivaceous, 
more  gray  below;  bill  dusky  below.    L.  6£.    W.  3J.    T.  2f .    N.  W., 
E.  to  Wis. ;  nearly  like  the  preceding,  but  the  notes  and  nesting 
different.     (To  John  Richardson.) 

457.  EMPIDONAX  Cabanis.     (e/iTrts,  gnat;  ara£,  king.) 
a.  Lower  parts  distinctly  yellow. 

869.  E.  flaviveiitris  Baird.     YELLOW-BELLIED  FLYCATCHER. 
Clear   olive  green ;    yellow  below,   becoming   bright   yellow    (not 
merely  slightly  yellowish  as  in  the  others)  on  the  belly ;  first  pri- 
mary about  equal  to  sixth ;   feet  as  in  acadicus  ;  bill  yellow  below. 
L.  5£.    W.  2f .  T.  2£.    B.  J.     Ts.  f.     E.  N.  Am.     (Lat.,  flavus, 
yellow ;  venter,  belly.) 

aa.  Lower  parts  not  distinctly  yellow. 

870.  E.   acadicus  (Gmelin).     SMALL   GREEN-CRESTED  FLY- 
CATCHER.   Clear  olive  green,  wing  bands  buffy ;  whitish  or  slightly 
yellowish  below ;   yellowish  ring  about  eyes ;   bill  pale  below  ;   pri- 
maries nearly  an  inch  longer  than  secondaries ;  2d,  3d  and  4th  pri- 
maries nearly  equal,  and  much  longer  than  1st  and  5th;   1st  much 
longer  that  6th.     L.  6.     W.  3.      T.  2|.     Ts.  f.     Tel.  J.     B.  f. 
E.  U.  S.,  frequent. 

871.  E.  pusillus   (Swainson).     Olive  brown,  duller  than  pre- 
ceding; bill  pale  below;  5th  primary  about  as  long  as  4th,  1st  not 
much  longer  than  6th ;  middle  toe  $  length  of  tarsus  ;   longest  pri- 
mary |^  inch  longer  than  secondaries.    L.  5^.    W.  2|>    T.  2^.    B.  f . 
Ts.  f .     Tel.  f .     U.  S.,  represented  E.  by  the  more  olivaceous  var. 
trailli  Audubon.     (Lat.,  petty.) 

872.  E.  minimus  Baird.     LEAST  FLYCATCHER.     Olive  gray; 
bill  blackish  below ;  wings  like  preceding,  but  longest  primary  but 
\  inch  longer  than  secondaries ;   middle  toe  half  as  long  as  tarsus  ; 
tail  slightly  emarginate.     L.   5.     W.  2£.     T.   2^.     B.  \.     Ts.  f. 
E.  N  Am.,  abundant ;  very  similar  to  the  last,  known  by  the  meas- 
urements.    (Lat.,  least.) 

FAMILY  CLXIV.    ALAUDID^J.     (THE  LARKS.) 

First  primary  very  short  or  obsolete.  Tarsus  obtuse  and  scutel- 
late  behind  as  well  as  in  front  (a  character  singular  among  Oscines). 
Bill  short,  of  various  forms  in  different  species ;  nostrils  concealed 
by  tufts  of  antrose  feathers ;  hind  claw  very  long  and  nearly  straight ; 
inner  secondaries  lengthened  and  flowing.  About  100  species, 


276  AVES  :  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

chiefly  Old  World  birds,  a  single  genus  in  America ;  some  of  them 
are  renowned  as  vocalists.  Pre-eminent  is  the  Skylark,  Alauda 
arvensis  L.,  a  species  which  has  been  lately  introduced  into  this 
country  (Long  Island,  etc.). 

a.  Spurious  primary  obsolete ;  a  little  tuft  of  lengthened  black  feathers  over 
each  ear  (sometimes  obscure  in  $) ;  tail  not  forked.    .    OTOCORIS,  458. 

458.  OTOCORIS  l  Bonaparte.     (Eremophila  Boie.)     (ovs,  ear ; 
Kopvs,  helmet.) 

873.  O.  alpestris  (Forster).     SHORE  LARK.     HORNED  LARK. 
Pinkish  brown,  thickly  streaked;  a  crescent  on  breast  and  strip 
under  eye  black  ;   white  below ;   chin,  throat,   and  line  over  eye 
more  or  less  yellow ;   9  with  less  black  ;  winter  birds  grayish,  with 
the  markings  more  obscure.     L.   1\.     W.  4^.     T.  3.     Northern 
Hemisphere,  common.     A  pleasant  singer.     Runs  into  many  vari- 
eties, the  prairie  form  (var.  praticola  Henshaw)  averaging  smaller, 
W.  4  to  4£,  etc.     (Eu.}     (Lat.,  alpine.) 

FAMILY  CLXV.    CORVIDJE.     (THE  CROWS  AND  JAYS.) 

Primaries  10;  first  about  half  length  of  second;  nostrils  usually 
concealed  by  tufts  of  bristly  feathers,  which  are  branched  to  their 
tips.  Bill  long  and  strong,  usually  notched,  its  commissure  not 
angulated.  Tarsus  sharp  behind,  its  sides  undivided  and  separated 
from  the  scutella  in  front  by  a  groove,  which  is  either  naked  or 
filled  in  with  small  scales.  Voice  usually  harsh  and  unmusical. 

Birds  of  large  size,  the  largest  of  the  Oscines,  found  almost  every- 
where. Genera  about  40  ;  species  1 75. 

a.  Tail  not  shorter  than  the  short,  rounded  wings.     (Garrulince.) 
b.  Tail  much  longer  than  wing,  graduated  for  half  its  length,  its  feathers 

narrowed  to  the  tips ;  head  not  crested PICA,  459. 

bb.  Tail  not  much  longer  than  wings,  not  graduated  for  half  its  length. 
c.  Head  with  a  conspicuous  crest;  (chiefly  blue).      .     CYANOCITTA,  460. 
cc.  Head  without  crest;  plumage  lax;  (no  blue).       .    PERISOREUS,  461. 
act.  Tail  much  shorter  than  the  long,  pointed  wings.     (Corvince.) 
d.  Bill  compressed,  higher  than  broad;  plumage  glossy. 

*  CORVUS,  462. 

459.  PICA  Cuvier.     (Lat.,  magpie.) 

874.  P.  pica  (L.).    MAGPIE.    Lustrous  black  ;  belly,  shoulders, 
and  wing-edgings  white.   L.  19.   W.  8-|.    T.  13.   Northern  regions. 
The  American   bird  (var.  hudsonica   Sabine)  is  larger,  with  the 
feathers  of  throat  spotted  with  white  below  the  surface.     Its  range 
is  chiefly  N.  W.  in  America,  E.  to  Wis.     (Eu.) 

1  Otocoris  is  used  for  Eremophila  by  the  A.  0.  U.,  on  account  of  the  prior  Eremophi- 
lus,  a  genus  of  fishes. 


ICTERID^l.  —  CLXVI.  277 

460.  CYANOCITTA  Strickland,     (KVCIVOS,  blue  ;  <a'rra,  jay.) 

875.  C.  cristata  (L.).  BLUE  JAY.  Blue;  collar  and  frontlet 
black  ;  grayish  below  ;  wings  and  tail  clear  blue,  barred  ;  outer  tail 
feathers  and  secondaries  tipped  with  white.  L.  12.  W.  5^.  T.  5|. 
E.  N.  Am.,  very  abundant.  (Lat.,  crested.) 


461.  FERISOREUS  Bonaparte.     (Trfpitrcopevw,  to  accumulate.) 

876.  P.  canadensis  (L.).    CANADA  JAY.    GRAY  JAY.    WHIS- 
KEY JACK.     Ashy  gray,  with  blackish  and  whitish  markings.     L. 
lOf  .     W.  5f.     T.  6.    N.  N.  Am.,  S.  in  winter,  to  Mich,  and  Me. 

462.  CORVUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  crow.) 
a.  Plumage  entirely  lustrous  black. 

877.  C.  corax  L.     RAVEX.    Feathers  of  throat  stiffened,  elon- 
gated, narrow,  and  lanceolate,  their  outlines  very  distinct.     L.  25. 
W.  17.    T.  10.    Northern  regions;  rare  E.  of  Miss.  R.    The  Amer- 
ican forms  are  var.  principalis  Ridgway,  —  New  Brunswick,  N.  with 
larger  bill  ;  and  var.  sinuatus  Wagler,  —  W.  U.  S.,  with  slender  bill 
and  tarsus.     The  Eur.  bird  has  bill  shorter  and  deeper.     (Eu.) 
(itopag,  raven.) 

878.  C.  americanus  Audubon.     CROW.     Feathers  of  throat 
short,  broad,  obtuse,  with  their  webs  blended  ;  gloss  of  plumage 
purplish  violet;  head  and  neck  scarcely  lustrous.     L.  20.     W.  13. 
T.  8.     Ts.  2£.     B.  2.     N.  Am.,  abundant  ;  variable. 

879.  C.  ossifragus  Wilson.     FISH  CROW.     Gloss  of  plumage 
green  and  violet,  evident  on  head  and  neck  ;  feathers  of  throat 
short,  blended.     L.  16.    W.  11.     T.  7.     B.  If.     Ts.  If.     N.  Y.  to 
La.,  only  along  the  coast.     (Lat.,  bone-breaker.) 

FAMILY   CLXVI.     ICTERID^B.     (THE   AMERICAN   "ORI- 
OLES "  AND  "  BLACKBIRDS.") 

Primaries  9  ;  bill  with  the  commissure  angulated,  as  in  Fringil- 
lidce,  but  usually  lengthened,  rarely  shorter  than  head,  straight  or 
gently  curved,  without  notch  or  rictal  bristles  ;  culmen  usually  ex- 
tending up  on  the  forehead,  dividing  the  frontal  feathers.  Legs 
stout,  usually  adapted  for  walking.  Plumage  usually  brilliant  or 
lustrous,  the  predominant  color  generally  black,  often  with  red  or 
yellow  ;  females  usually  different,  smaller  in  size,  brown  or  streaky 
in  the  lustrous  species,  and  yellowish  or  dusky  in  the  brightly  col- 
ored ones.  Notes  usually  sharp,  often  richly  melodious,  in  other 
cases  harsh.  Excepting  the  "  Orioles,"  the  species  feed  chiefly  on 
seeds. 

Genera  about  20,  species  100,  all  American,  some  of  the  short- 
billed  forms  forming  a  perfect  transition  to  the  Fringillidce  ;  others 


278  AVES  :   PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

are  as  closely  related  to  Sturnidce  (starlings),  which  in  turn  are 
allied  to  the  Corvidce. 

a.  Outlines  of  bill  nearly  or  quite  straight,  the  tip  not  evidently  decurved  ; 

the  commissure  not  sinuated.     (Icterince.) 
b.  Bill  stout,  conical;  its  depth  at  base  at  least  J  its  length;  sexes  unlike; 

$  smaller. 

c.  Tail  feathers  acute  ;  middle  toe  with  claw  longer  than  tarsus;  bill 
shorter  than  head,  finch-like  .......    DOLICHONYX,  463. 

cc.  Tail  feathers  not  acute;  middle  toe  with  claw  not  longer  than  tarsus. 
d$  Bill  much  shorter  than  head,  finch-like.    .     .     .    MOLOTHKUS,  464. 

dd.  Bill  about  as  long  as  head. 
e.  Lateral  claws  elongate,  reaching  beyond  base  of  middle  claw. 

XANTHOCEPHALUS,  465. 
ee.  Lateral  claws  shortish,  scarcely  reaching  base  of  middle  claw. 

AGELAIUS,  466. 
Ib.  Bill  slender,  its  depth  at  base  scarcely  J  its  length. 

f.  Tail  not  f  length  of  wing,  its  feathers  acute;  tertials  lengthened; 
bill  longer  than  head  ;  feathers  of  crown  each  tipped  by  the 
bristle-like  shaft  ;   sexes  similar.     .     .     .    STURNELLA,  467. 

ff.  Tail  nearly  as  long  as  wing,  its  feathers  not  pointed  ;    bill 
shorter  than  head  ;  feathers  of  crown  not  bristle-tipped;  sexes 
unlike  ..............    ICTERUS,  468. 

aa.  Outlines  of  bill  distinctly  curved,  the  tip  decurved;  the  commissure  evi- 
dently sinuated.     (  Cluiscalitue.) 

g.  Tail  much  shorter  than  wing,  nearly  even  ;  bill  slender,  shorter 
than  head  ..........    SCOLECOPHAGUS,  469. 

gg.  Tail  longer  than  wing,  graduated,  the  middle  feathers  lower- 
most when  the  tail  is  folded;  bill  stout,  not  shorter  than  head. 

QUISCALUS,  470. 


463.  DOLICHONYX  Swainson.     (SoXt^dy,  long  ;  6Vi>£,  claw.) 

880.  D.  oryzivorus  (L.).     BOBOLINK.     REED  BIRD.     RICE 
BIRD.      £  in  spring  black,  neck  buffy,  shoulders  and  rump  ashy 
white,  back  streaky;    9>  and  fall   <£»  yellowish  brown,  streaked 
above,  —  dull  yellowish  birds,  resembling  sparrows,  but  known  by 
the  acute  tail  feathers.     L.  7£.     W.  4.     T.  3.     E.  N.  Am.,  abun- 
dant in  meadows  northward,  where,  in  the  breeding  season,  it  is 
our  merriest  and  most  delightful  songster.     Retiring  southward  in 
the  fall,  it  fattens  in  the  rice  swamps  and  becomes  a  "  game  bird," 
slaughtered  by  the  thousand  for  city  markets.     (Lat.,  oryza,  rice  ; 
voro,  I  devour.) 

464.  MOLOTHRUS  Swainson.     (po\o6po$,  vagabond.) 

881.  M.  ater  (Boddaert).    Cow  BIRD.    £  iridescent  black,  head 
and  neck  glossy  brown  ;    9  much  smaller,  dusky  brown.     L.  (  <£)  8. 
W.  4.     T.  3.     U.  S.,  abundant  ;  noted  for  its  parasitic  habits.     It 
builds  no  nests,  but  lays  its  eggs  in  the  nests  of  warblers  and  other 
small  birds.     (Lat.,  black.) 


ICTEKHLE.  —  CLXVI.  279 

465.  XANTHOCEPHALUS  Swainson. 

882.  X.    xanthocephalus     (Bonaparte).     YELLOW -HEADED 
BLACKBIRD.     $  black  with  white  wing  patch;  head  and  neck 
deep  yellow;   9  smaller, browner,  with  less  yellow.     L.  10.    W.  5^. 
T.  4£.     W.  N.  Am.,  E.  to  Ind.,  etc.,  in  swamps.     (£av6os,  yellow ; 
Ke<f)a\T),  head.) 

466.  AGELAIUS  Vieillot.     (dyeXatos,  gregarious.) 

883.  A.  phceniceus  (L.).    RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD.    SWAMP 
BLACKBIRD.      £  glossy  (not  iridescent)  black,  lesser  wing  covers 
scarlet,  with  buffy  and  paler  edgings ;    9  dusky,  streaked ;  young 
$   streaked,  with  rusty  on   bend   of  wing.     L.  9.     W.  5.     T.  4. 
U.  S.,  everywhere  abundant.     (<£o«/i*cfO£,  phoenician-red.) 

467.  STURNELLA  Vieillot.     (Lat.,  dim.  of  sturna,  starling.) 

884.  S.   magna  (L.).     MEADOWLARK.     Brownish  and  much 
streaked  above ;  chiefly  yellow  below,  a  black  crescent  on  breast ; 
yellow  of    throat  not  encroaching  on  cheeks ;  sides  and  crissum 
buffy.     L.  10.     W.  5.     T.  3£.     E.  N.  Am.,  very  abundant.     (Lat., 
large,  as  compared  with  the  sky-lark.) 

885.  S.  neglecta  (Audubon).    WESTERN  MEADOWLARK.    Very 
similar,  the  colors  duller  and  paler,  the  yellow  of  throat  encroach- 
ing on  sides  of  lower  jaw ;  sides  and  crissum  nearly  white.     W.  N. 
Am.,  E.  to  111. ;  almost  exactly  like  the  other,  but  the  song  quite 
different,  thrush-like. 

468.  ICTERUS  Brisson.     ((xrepos,  yellow.) 
a.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  not  half  its  length  above.     (Icterus.) 

886.  I.   spurius  (L.).     ORCHARD  ORIOLE.     $   black;  rump, 
bend  of  wing  and  lower  parts  deep  chestnut;   9   yellowish  olive, 
quite  small ;  young  yellow,  with  various  black  or  chestnut  traces ; 
young  £  often  yellowish,  with  black  throat-patch.     L.  7.     W.  3^. 
T.  3.     E.  U.  S.,  common  southerly ;  a  fine  singer  and  an  artist  in 
nest-building. 

aa.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  half  its  length.     (Yphantes  Vieillot.) 

887.  I.  galbula  (L.).     BALTIMORE  ORIOLE.     GOLDEN  ROBIN. 
FIRE  BIRD.     Black ;  bend  of  wing,  rump,  most  tail  feathers,  and 
under  parts  from  the  breast  orange  of  varying  intensity ;   9  duller, 
olivaceous  and  yellow.     L.  7|.     W.  3f.     T.  3.     E.  N.  Am.,  abun- 
dant ;   noted  for  its  elaborate  hanging  nest  as  well  as  for  its  song. 
(Lat.,  name  of  some  bird.) 

469.  SCOLECOPHAGUS  Swainson.     (cmaA^,  worm ; 
^xiyos,  eater.) 

888.  S.  carolinus  (Miiller).   RUSTY  GRACKLE.   RUSTY  BLACK- 
BIRD,     g  glossy  black  becoming  rusty  in  autumn ;    9    dusky,  lus- 
treless.    L.  9J.     W.  4f .     T.  4.     E.  U.  S. 


280  AVES:  PASSERES. — XLVI. 

889.  S.  cyanocephalus  (Wagler).   BREWER'S  BLACKBIRD.   $ 
black  with  green  lustre,  head  glossed  with  violet ;   9  dusky.     L.  10. 
W.  5£.     T.  4£.     W.  N.  Am.,  straying  E.  to  111.     (Kvavos,  blue; 
K€<f)a\r],  head.) 

470.  QUISCALUS  Vieillot.     (From  the  bird's  note.) 

890.  Q.  quiscula  (L.).   CROW  BLACKBIRD.    PURPLE  GRACKLE. 
Iridescent  black,  lustre  on  head  purplish,  on  body  bronzy.     L.  13. 
W.  5^.     T.  5£.     E.  U.  S.,  abundant ;  now  divided  into  the  typical 
variety,  chiefly  S.  of  N.  Y.  and  E.  of  Alleghanies,  and  var.  seneus 
Ridgway,  the  common  form  N.  and  W.,  the  latter  with  the  body 
with  uniform  bronze  lustre,  without  mixed  tints,  this  color  abruptly 
defined  against  the  iridescent  violet  of  the  neck.     Var.  quiscula  is 
nearly  uniform  iridescent. 

891.  Q.  major  Vieillot.     BOAT-TAILED  GRACKLE.     Iridescent 
green  and  blue.     Larger.     L.  1 7.     W.  7|.     T.  7|.     Va.  to  Texas 

and  S. 

FAMILY  CLXVIL    FRINGILLID^E.1    (THE  FINCHES.) 

Primaries  9,  the  first  being  obsolete.  Bill  "  conirostral,"  mostly 
shorter  than  head,  robust,  of  a  conical  form,  with  the  commissure 
more  or  less  abruptly  angulated  near  its  base ;  in  other  words,  the 
"corners  of  the  mouth  drawn  down."  This  feature  is  usually 
strongly  marked,  and  it  is  almost  the  only  special  character  per- 
taining to  all  the  members  of  the  family.  Even  this  is  also  shared 
by  the  Icteridce,  which,  however,  may  generally  be  distinguished  by 
the  greater  length  and  slenderness  of  the  bill.  Nostrils  high  up, 
exposed  or  (in  northern  species)  partly  covered  by  a  ruff  of  small 

1  Sundevall  and  Stejneger  have  placed  the  Fringillidce  at  the  end  or  head  of  the 
series  of  birds,  for  reasons  which  seem  to  me  sufficient  ones.  "  In  order  to  find  out 
the  most  specialized  form  of  the  Ptisseres,  we  must  look  for  the  bird  which  is  most 
specialized  in  all  directions,  not  only  as  to  the  coloration  of  its  plumage,  or  the 
fusion  of  its  tarsal  covering.  The  ideally  highest  form  .  .  .  would  have  booted 
tarsi,  9  primaries,  long  mandibular  symphysis,  powerful  bill  for  grain  crushing,  a 
digestive  system  adapted  for  grain-feeding,  and  the  coloration  of  young  and  adult 
unspotted  and  similar.  That  this  is  the  regular  course  and  ultimate  end  of  the  evo- 
lution among  the  higher  birds  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  we  can  trace  it  in  nearly 
all  the  groups,  and  in  the  individual  development  of  the  birds  possessing  these 
characters. "  ( Stejneger. ) 

Acting  on  this  principle,  Stejneger  selects  as  the  highest  or  most  specialized  bird 
the  Evening  Grosbeak.  "  The  number  of  its  primaries  is  reduced  to  9,  the  mandibu- 
lar symphysis  is  well  developed,  the  palatine  and  facial  part  of  the  skull  is  highly 
specialized,  and  so  is  the  digestive  canal.  Furthermore  the  plumage  of  the  young  is 
essentially  like  that  of  the  adults."  It  fails,  then,  in  only  one  respect,  —  its  tarsus 
is  not  booted. 

In  most  recent  American  systems,  however,  the  Turdidm  are  placed  at  the  head 
Of  the  list ;  and  as  the  A.  O.  U.  has  adopted  this  arrangement  it  is  retained  here, 
the  "  post  of  honor  "  being  given  to  the  beautiful  Arctic  Bluebird  rather  than  to  the 
Evening  Grosbeak,  although  the  latter  has  certainly  the  better  claim. 


FKINGILLID.E.  —  CLXVII.  281 

feathers.  Tarsus  scutellate  in  front,  with  an  undivided  ridge 
behind. 

A  very  large  family,  the  most  extensive  in  Ornithology,  com- 
prising about  100  genera  and  500  species,  found  in  nearly  every 
part  of  the  world,  except  Australia.  They  are  especially  abundant 
in  North  America,  where  about  one  seventh  of  all  the  birds  are 
Fring'diidcE.  "  Any  one  United  States  locality  of  average  attract- 
iveness to  birds,  has  a  bird-fauna  of  over  two  hundred  species,  and 
if  it  be  away  from  the  sea-coast,  and  consequently  uninhabited  by 
marine  birds,  about  one-fourth  of  the  species  are  Mniotiltidce  and 
FringillidcB  together,  the  latter  somewhat  in  excess  of  the  former. 
It  is  not  easy,  therefore,  to  give  undue  prominence  to  these  two 
families."  (Cowes.) 

All  the  Finches  are  granivorous,  feeding  chiefly  on  seeds,  but  not 
rejecting  either  berries  or  insects  ;  nearly  all  sing,  and  some  most 
delightfully  ;  most  of  them  are  plainly  clad,  a  streaky  brown  being 
the  prevailing  tint,  but  others  are  among  the  most  brilliantly  col- 
ored birds.  Among  these  latter  only  are  the  changes  in  plumage 
strongly  marked.  (Lat.,  fringilla,  finch.) 

A  strictly  natural  analysis  of  the  genera  of  Fringillidce  is  prac- 
tically impossible,  as  they  do  not  fall  naturally  into  definable  groups. 
The  characters  drawn  from  the  development  of  the  palate  are  not 
available  for  the  ordinary  purposes  of  the  student.  The  following 
semi-artificial  key  is  largely  adapted  from  Ridgway's  Manual. 

a.  Mandibles  falcate,  crossed  at  tip;  nostrils  concealed  by  a  small  ruff. 

LOXIA,  474. 

art.  Mandibles  not  crossed  at  tip. 
b.  Head  with  a  conspicuous  crest ;  bill  very  large;  culmen  strongly  curved 

(bill,  wings,  and  tail  chiefly  red) CARDINALIS,  491. 

bb.  Head  without  crest 

c.  Bill  very  stout,  its  depth  at  base  equal  to  length  of  hind  toe  with  claw, 
and  more  than  I  tarsus;  nostrils  partly  concealed. 

COCCOTHRAUSTES,  471. 

cc.  Bill  less  stout,  its  depth  at  base  less  than  length  of  hind  toe  with 

claw. 
e.  Nasal  plumules  long,  covering  the  basal  third  of  upper  mandible; 

bill  stout PINICOLA,  472. 

ee.  Nasal  plumules,  if  present,  covering  much  less  than  one-third  of 

length  of  upper  mandible. 

f.  Introduced  birds;  gonys  distinctly  convex  in  profile ;  (plumage 
streaked  above,  not  below ;  no  white,  red,  yellow,  or  blue). 

PASSER,  473,  note. 
ff.  Native  birds ;  gonys  straight  or  nearly  so. 

g.  Primaries  much  longer  than  secondaries  (exceeding  them  by 

length  of  tarsus). 

h.  Wing  at  least  5  times  as  long  as  the  short  tarsus. 
i.  Birds  of  moderate  size,  the  wing  more  than  3?  inches. 
j.  Base  of  gonys  nearer  base  of  bill  than  its  tip  (measuring 


282  AYES  :  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

along  side  of  bill) ;  (tail  feathers  without  white ;  tail  coverts  rosy) ; 

hind  claw  moderate LEUCOSTICTE,  475. 

jj.  Base  of  gonys  as  near  tip  of  lower  mandible  as  to  its  base  on  the 
side;  (tail  largely  white ;  plumage  with  much  white  and  110  rosy); 
hind  claw  very  long,  nearly  as  long  as  bill. 

PLECTROPHENAX,  478. 
t»\  Birds  of  small  size,  the  wing  less  than  3j;  tail  forked. 

k.  Nasal  tufts  very  long,  nearly  -|  length  of  bill;  (tail  feathers  with- 
out white  or  yellow;  adults  with  red).  .     .     .     ACANTHIS,  476. 
We.  Nasal  tufts  short  or  obsolete,  not  £  length  of  bill ;  (tail  feathers 
blotched  with  white  or  yellow;  adults  with  yellow  but  no  red). 

SPLNUS,  477. 
hh.  Wing  not  five  times  as  long  as  tarsus. 

/.  First    (developed)  primary    not   shorter   than    fourth;    (back 

streaked). 

m.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  about  equal  to  length  of  (exposed)  cul- 
men;  nostrils  with  a  small  ruff;  (plumage  streaked  above 
and  below ;  cf  with  red ;  no  white  on  tail). 

CARPODACUS,  473. 
mm.  Depth  of  bill  at  base  less  than  length  of  culmen;  (no  red; 

tail  with  white). 

n.  Tail  emarginate,  the  middle  feathers  narrow  and  pointed 
at  tip;  hind  claw  very  long  and  straightish,  nearly  as  long 
as  bill, 
o.  Gonys  shorter  than  hind  toe  without  claw  and  not  more 

than  depth  of  bill CALCARIUS,  479. 

oo.  Gonys  longer  than  hind  toe  and  greater  than  depth  of 

bill RHYNCOPHANES,  480. 

nn.  Tail  rounded;  the  middle  feathers  broad  and  rounded  at 

tip;  hind  toe  shorty  curved.  .    .     .    CHONDESTES,  483. 

II.  First  (developed)  primary  shorter  than  fourth;  bill  very  stout; 

(plumage  with  red  or  yellow,  tail  with  white).       HABIA,  492. 

gg.  Primaries  not  much  longer  than  secondaries  (exceeding  them  by  less  than 

length  of  tarsus) ;  (no  red). 

p.  Bill  very  stout ;  its  depth  at  base  nearly  equal  to  hind 
toe  with  claw;  (<?  with  blue).    .     .    GUIRACA,  493. 
pp.  Bill  more  slender,  not  as  above. 
q.  Tail-feathers  narrow,  at  least  the  middle  ones  acu- 
minate; (back  streaked). 

T.  Middle  toe  with  claw  decidedly  shorter  than  tarsus ; 
(outer  tail  feathers  with  white;  bend  of  wing 

chestnut) POOC^ETES,  481. 

TT.  Middle  toe  with  claw  not  shorter  than  tarsus; 
(outer  tail  feathers  without  white  markings; 
edge  of  wing  yellow). 

*.  (Breast  with  yellow  ;  throat  with  more  or  less 
black ;  plumage  not  streaked  below  in  <? ). 

SPIZA,  495. 

6S.  (Breast  without  yellow  ;  throat  without  black ; 
plumage  streaked  below.) 

AMMODRAMUS,  482. 

qq.  Tail  feathers  broader,   not  acuminate  (except  in 
worn  plumage). 
t.  Hind  claw  decidedly  longer  than  its  toe. 


FRINGILLID^l.  —  CLXVII.  283 

u.  Bill  tapering  rapidly  to  the  acute  tip;   nostrils  concealed  by  small 
antrorse  feathers;  (plumage  streaked  above  and  below). 

PASSERELLA,  489. 

uu.  Bill  tapering  gradually  toward  the  rather  obtuse  tip;  nostrils  ex- 
posed ;  (plumage  not  streaked) PIPILO,  490., 

U.  Hind  claw  scarcely  longer  than  its  toe. 

v.  Tertials  very  long,  fonger  than  secondaries,  not  much  shorter  than 
longest  primaries ;  (a  white  wing  patch).     .    CALAMOSPIZA,  496. 
w.  Tertials  scarcely  or  not  longer  than  secondaries,  not  nearly  reach- 
ing tips  of  longest  primaries. 
w.  (Outer  tail  feather  largely  white ;  plumage  not  streaked.) 

JUNCO,  486. 

ww.  (Outer  tail  feather  not  white.)  , 

x.  Lower  mandible   much  deeper  than  upper;   (rf  with  blue  or 

green). PASSERINA,  494. 

xx.  Lower  mandible  not  deeper  than  upper;   (plumage  streaky 

above  ;  no  blue);  wings  not  much  longer  than  tail. 
y.  Tail  more  or  less  forked ;  its  middle    feathers  shortest ;  (no 
yellow ;  plumage  not  streaked  below).      .     SPIZELLA,  485. 
yy.  Tail  rounded  (or  slightly  double-rounded). 
z.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  more  than  length  of 
bill;  (head  in  adult  striped;  in  young  chestnut ;  plumage 

not  streaked  below) ZONOTKICHIA,  484. 

zz.  Primaries  exceeding  secondaries  by  not  more  than  length 

of  bill. 
a.  (Edge  of  wing  yellow;  plumage  not  streaked  below.) 

PEUC.EA,  487. 

aa.  (No  yellow  anywhere  ;  plumage  streaked  below,  or  else 
with  the  crown  chestnut.)     .    .    .    MELOSPIZA,  488. 

471.  COCCOTHRAUSTES  Brisson.     (KOKKOS,  berry;  6pavo>, 

to  crush.) 

a.  Tips  of  four  inner  primaries  of  normal  form,  not  widened  at  end.   (Ilesperi- 
phona  Bonap.). 

892.  C.  vespertinus  (Cooper).     EVENING  GROSBEAK.     Oliva- 
ceous ;  crown,  wings,  tail  and  tibia  black ;   forehead,  rump,  and 
crissum  yellow;    inner  secondaries  and  coverts  white;   bill  very 
large,   yellowish ;     9    grayer»   with  little  yellow.     L.  8.     W.  4^. 
T.  2£.     W.  N.  Am.,  irregularly  E.  to  Ohio  or  beyond,  one  of  the 
most  striking  of  the  finches.     (Lat.,  of  sunset.) 

472.  PINICOLA  Vieillot.     (Lat.  pinus,  pine ;  colo,  I  inhabit.) 

893.  P.   enucleator  (L.).     PINE  GROSBEAK,     g  chiefly  rose 
red ;  changing  to  ashy  below  and  behind ;  wings  dusky,  with  two 
white  wing  bars ;    9  ashy  gray,  with  brownish  yellow  on  head  and 
rump  ;  bill  blackish.     L.  8^.     W.  4^.     T.  4.     Northern  regions, 
S.  in  winter  to  Va.,  in  pine  woods,  etc.     (Eu.}     The  American 
bird  (var.  canadensis  Cabanis)  is  larger  and  more  brightly  colored. 
(Lat.,  one  who  shells  nuts.) 


284        AVES:  PASSEEES.  —  XLVI. 

473.  CARPOD ACUS l  Kaup.     (Kapnos,  fruit ;  &CLKOS,  biting.) 

894.  C.  purpureus  (Gmelin).     PURPLE  FINCH.     Everywhere 
streaky;    $  flushed  with  red,  most  intense  on  the  crown,  fading 
below  and  behind ;   9  °live  brown  and  streaky,  with  no  red ;  bill 
stout.     L.  6.     W.  3£.     T.  2£.     N.  Am.,  a  sweet   singer.     (Lat., 
purple,  which  the  bird  is  not.) 

474.  LOXIA  Linnaeus.     (Xo£of,  crooked.) 
a.  Wing  with  white. 

895.  L.    leucoptera    Gmelin.     WHITE   WINGED    CROSSBILL. 
g  rose  red ;  two  white  wing  bars ;  scapulars  black ;    9  brownish 
olive,  speckled  with  dusky  ;  rump  yellow.     L.  6^.     W.  3^.     T.  2^. 
N.  N.  Am.,  S.  in  winter,  with  the  next,  less  common;  variable. 
(XeuKoy,  white ;  nrepov,  wing.) 

aa.  Wing  with  no  white. 

896.  L.  curvirostra  L.    RED  CROSSBILL.     $  brick-red;  wings 
dusky,   unmarked;     9   brownish,  washed  with    greenish  yellow. 
L.  6.     W.  3£.     T.  2£.    Northern  regions,  about  pine  woods ;  S. 
in  winter,   sometimes  in  large  flocks,  to   Tenn.  and  Va.     (£7w.) 
The  rather  small  form  in  E.  U.  S.  is  var.  minor  Brehm.     The  sin- 
gular bill  is  adapted  for  opening  nuts.     (Lat.,  curve-bill.) 

475.  LEUCOSTICTE  Swainson.     (Aev/toy,  white ;  ort/cro?, 
spotted.) 

897.  L.  tephrocotis  Swainson.     Cinnamon-brown;   head  more 
or  less  ashy  gray ;    nasal  tufts  white ;  quills  dusky ;    tail  coverts 
edged  with  rose  pink  in  adult.     L.  6.     W.  4.     T.  3.     Rocky  Mts., 
E.  to  Iowa,     (rftppos,  gray  ;  our,  ear.) 

476.  ACANTHIS  Bechstein.     (a<avdis,  thistle-bird.) 

a.  Crown  red  in  both   sexes,  crimson  in  cf ,  lustrous  brownish-red  in  $  ; 
chin  blackish ;  no  yellow. 

898.  A.  hornemanni  (Holboll).   GREENLAND  REDPOLL.    Sides 
and  rump  scarcely  streaked ;    colors  very  pale.     £  with  breast 
merely  pinkish.     L.  5.     W.  3.     T.  2£.     Greenland ;  the  small  var. 
exilipes  (Coues)  S.  to  N.  U.  S.  in  winter.    (To  J.  W.  Hornemann.) 

899.  A.  linarius  (L.).     RED  POLL   LINNET.     Throat,  breast 
and  rump  rosy  in  <£;  much  streaked  above  and  on  sides;  rump 

1  In  the  vicinity  of  Carpodacus  belongs  the  Old  World  genus  :  — 
Passer  Brisson.  P.  domesticus  (L.).  EUROPEAN  HOUSE  SPARROW.  <$  chestnut 
brown  above,  thickly  streaked  ;  ashy  below  ;  throat,  lores  and  chin  black  ;  $  duller, 
without  black ;  feet  small.  L.  6.  W.  2|.  T.  2J.  Introduced  from  Europe  ;  abun- 
dant in  all  towns  E.,  a  nuisance  unfortunately  long  past  the  possibility  of  abatement. 
(Eu.) 

P.  montanus  (L.).  EUROPEAN*  TREE  SPARROW.  Smaller ;  tf  with  black  of  throat 
not  continued  over  chest ;  top  of  head  liver-brown.  L.  5£.  W.  2|.  T.  2J.  Europe, 
naturalized  about  St  Louis. 


FKINGILLID.E.  —  CLXVH.  285 

streaked.     L.  5f.     W.  3.     T.  1\.     Northern  regions,  S.  in  winter 
in  flocks  to  Ind.  and  Penn.     (i'w.)     Besides  the  common  form  a 
larger  var.  rostrata  Coues  (W.  3£,  etc.),  with   shorter,  less  acute 
bill,  sometimes  ranges  S.  to  111.  and  N.  Y.     (Lat.,  flaxen.) 
aa.  Crown  without  red;  no  dusky  spot  on  chin;  some  yellow. 

900.  A.  brewsteri  Kidgway.     No  dusky  on  chin ;  rump  yellow 
in  9  ;  the  $  unknown.     L.  5|.    W.  3.     T.  2^.     Mass.,  one  speci- 
men known.     (To  Wm.  Brewster.) 

477.  SPINUS  i  Boie.     (Latin  name  :   "  thistle-bird,"  the  thistle 

being  a  spinous  plant.) 

a.  Sexes  unlike;  plumage  scarcely  or  not  streaked;  adult  tf  with  black  on 
crown,  wings  and  tail;  bill  not  very  acute,  without  distinct  ruff  at  base. 
(Astragalinus  Cabanis.) 

901.  S.  tristis  (L.)     YELLOW  BIRD.     THISTLE  BIRD.    AMER- 
ICAN GOLDFINCH.     £   rich  yellow ;    rump  whitish ;    wing   bars 
white;  a  white  spot  on  each  tail  feather ;   §  more  olivaceous;  fall 
plumage  pale  yellow  brown  ;  young  variously  buffy,  with  yellow  or 
not.     L.  5.     W.  3.     T.  2.     N.  Am.,  everywhere;  notable  for  its 
lisping  notes  and  undulating  flight.     (Lat.,  sad.) 

aa.  Sexes  alike;  plumage  thickly  streaked  everywhere;  no  black  on  head; 
bill  very  sharp,  with  a  distinct  ruff  at  base.     (Sjjinus.) 

902.  S.pinus(  Wilson).    PINE  SISKIN.    Plumage  streaky  brown, 
suffused  with  yellow  in  the  breeding  season  ;  bases  of  quills  and 
tail  feathers   sulphur  yellow.    L.  4f.     W.  2|.     T.   2.     N.  Am., 
chiefly  N".,  but  liable  to  appear  anywhere.     (Lat.,  pine.) 

478.  PLBCTROPHENAX  Stejneger.     (ir\r)Krpov,  spur;    $tVa£, 
deceiver,  the  word  made  in  imitation  of  the  old  name  Plectro- 
phanes,  which  is  preoccupied.) 

903.  P.   nivalis  (L.).     SNOW  BUNTING.     In  breeding  season, 
pure  white,  with  black  on  ba,ck,  wings  and  tail ;  bill  and  feet  black; 
only  the  winter  plumage  usually  seen  in  U.  S. ;  bill  pale,  and  white 
of  body  clouded  with  clear,  warm  brown.     L.  7.     W.  4^.     T.  3. 
Northern  regions,  S.  in  winter  to  Ohio  R. ;  a  most  beautiful  bird. 
(Eu.)     (Lat.,  snowy. J 

479.  CALCARIUS  Bechstein.     (Lat.,  calcar,  spur.) 

904.  C.  lapponicus  (L.).    LAPLAND  LONGSPUR.     £  with  head 
and  throat  mostly  black  ;    a  chestnut  collar;    back   black  and 
streaky  ;  whitish  below  ;  outer  tail  feathers  with  white  ;  inner  web 
of  outer  feather  dusky ;  legs  and  feet  black ;   9  an(i  winter  birds 

1  Allied  to  Spinus  is  the  Goldfinch  of  Europe  (Carduelis  carduelis  L. ),  now  nat- 
uralized in  New  York,  Cambridge,  etc.  In  both  sexes,  the  head  is  black  and  white, 
crimson  anteriorly,  the  wings  and  tail  black  and  yellow  ;  the  rump  white  ;  brownish 
below.  Allied  also  is  the  Canary,  Serinus  canarius,  a  favorite  cage-bird. 


286  AVES  :   PASSERES.  —  XLYI. 

with  less  black.     L.  6£.     W.  4.     T.  2f.     Northern  regions,  S.  in 
winter  to  N.  Y.  and  Ky.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  Lapp.) 

905.  C.  pictus    (Swainson).      g  with  head  and  upper   parts 
mostly  black ;  collar  and  under  parts  rich  fawn  color ;  legs  pale  ; 
inner  web  of  outer  tail  feather  chiefly  white.     9  duller.     L.  6£. 
W.  2f.     N.  N.  Am.,  S.  E.,  to  111.  and  Kan.     (Lat.,  painted.) 

480.  RHYNCHOPHANES  Baird.    (pvy^oy,  beak ;  <£aw», 
I  show.) 

906.  R.    maccowni    (Lawrence).      BLACK-BREASTED   LONG- 
SPUR.     Crown  and  pectoral  crescent  black;  the  black  often  ob- 
scured by  pale  edgings  ;  bend  of  wing  chestnut ;  line  over  eye  and 
under  parts  white ;    back  and  sides  streaked.     L.  6^.     W.  3|. 
T.  2£.     B.  nearly  £.     Great  plains,  rarely  E.  to  111.     (To  Capt.  J. 
P.  McCown.) 

481.  POOC-aEJTES  Baird.     (rroa,  blue  grass ;  oiKrjrfjs,  inhabitant.) 

907.  P.  gramineus  (Gmelin).    BAY-WINGED  BUNTING.    GRASS 
SPARROW.      GROUND  BIRD.      "  VESPER  SPARROW."      Thickly 
streaked  every  where ;  slightly  buff  y  below.     L.  6.     W.  3.     T.  2£. 
N.  Am.,  abundant  in  fields,  etc.,  known  at  once  by  the  chestnut 
bend  of  wing  and  white  outer  tail  feathers  ;  a  good  singer.     (Lat., 
grassy.) 

482.  AMMODRAMUS  Swainson.     SHORE  SPARROWS. 
(«/z/u)?,  sand  ;  dpafj.clv,  to  run.) 

a.  Outer  pair  of  tail  feathers  longer  than  middle  pair;  wing  much  longer  than 
tail.     (Passerculus.) 

908.  A.  princeps  (Maynard).     IPSWICH  SPARROW.     Grayish; 
streaks  on  back   sandy  brown,  not  sharply  defined ;  superciliary 
line  white  in  front;  bill  not  longer  than  hind  toe  without  claw. 
L.  6.     W.  3£.     T.  2£.     Nova  Scotia  to  Va.  and  Texas,  coastwise. 
(Lat.,  chief.) 

909.  A.    sandwichensis    (Gmelin).       SAVANNA    SPARROW. 
Sharply  streaked ;    streaks  on    back  blackish ;    superciliary  line 
and  edge  of  wing  yellowish.      L.  5£.     W.  2|.      T.  2.     N.  Am., 
abundant  on  plains  and  shores.    The  form  E.'of  Rocky  Mts.,  smaller 
(W.  2J,  etc.,  instead  of  W.  3£,  etc.),  is  var.  savanna   Wilson. 
(From  Sandwich  Isl.,  Alaska.) 

aa.  Outer  pair  of  tail  feathers  shorter  than  middle  pair;  wing  not  much,  if 

any,  longer  than  tail. 
b.  Bill  stout;  tail  feathers  acute  but  not  rigid;  crown  with  a  median  light 

stripe;  inland  species.     (Coturniculus  Bonaparte.) 

c.  Tail  double-rounded,  the  lateral  feathers  not  much  shorter  than  middle 
ones. 

910.  A.    savannarum    (Gmelin).      GRASSHOPPER    SPARROW. 
Much  streaked   above ;    feathers  edged  with  bay ;    breast  buffy, 


FRINGILLHLE. —  CLXVII.  287 

unstreaked  ;  wings  and  tail  short ;  edge  and  bend  of  wing  and  line 
over  eye  yellow.  L.  5.  W.  2f .  T.  2.  N.  Am.,  in  fields ;  notes 
sharp,  grasshopper-like;  the  bird  of  E.  U.  S.  is  var.  passerinus 
Wilson.  (Spanish,  savana,  meadow.) 

cc.  Tail  graduated,  the  outer  feathers  much  shorter  than  middle  ones. 

911.  A.  henslowi  (Audubon).     Smaller  than  preceding,  more 
yellow  above ;  breast,  etc.,  with  some  sharp  black  streaks.      L.  5. 
W.  2J.     T.  2f      E.  U.  S.,  scarce ;  N.  to  Mass.     (To  Prof.  J.  S. 
Henslow.) 

912.  A.  lecontei  (Audubon).     Intermediate  between  the  pre- 
ceding and  the  next ;  bill  small,  blue-black ;  back  with  rufous  ;  tail 
feathers  very  sharp  and  slender ;  breast  unspotted  ;  a  broad  buffy 
superciliary  stripe.     L.  4f .     W.  2f      T.  2|.     Great  Plains,  E.  to 
111.     (To  Major  J.  Le  Conte.) 

bb.  Bill  rather  slender ;  tail  feathers  sharp  and  rather  stiff ;  crown  without 
distinct  median  stripe.    Seashore  sparrows.     (Ammodramus.) 

913.  A.  caudacutus  (Gmelin).    SHARP-TAILED  FINCH.    Ashy 
olive,  the  back  streaked  with  ashy  buff  and  whitish ;  edge  of  wing 
pale  yellowish  ;  no  yellow  spot  about  eye ;  a  bright  buff  superciliary 
stripe.    L.  5.    W.  2£.    T.  If.    Salt  marshes,  Nova  Scotia  to  N.  C. ; 
represented  in  fresh  water  swamps  (111.,  S.  and  E.)  by  var.  nel- 
soni  Allen,  which  has  colors  of  upper  parts  very  sharply  contrasted, 
especially  the  whitish  streaks  on  umber-brown  ground  color ;  breast 
less  sharply  streaked.     (Lat.,  cauda,  tail;  acutus.) 

914.  A.  maritimus  (Wilson).     SEA-SIDE  FINCH.     Olive  gray; 
back  obscurely  streaked ;  a  yellow  spot  before  eye ;  edge  of  wing 
yellow  ;  no  superciliary  stripe.    L.  6.    W.  2£.    T.  2.    Salt  marshes, 
Mass,  to  Texas. 

483.  CHONDESTES  Swainson.     (xovdpos,  grain  ;  e'Seonfc, 
eater.) 

915.  C.  grammacus  (Say).    LARK  SPARROW.    Streaked  above, 
ashy  below ;  ear  coverts  chestnut ;  crown  chestnut,  black  anteriorly, 
with  whitish  median  and  superciliary  stripes  ;  a  black  line  through 
and  below  eye  ;  a  conspicuous  black  streak  on  each  side  of  the  white 
throat;  a  black  pectoral  spot;  middle  tail  feathers  like  back,  the 
rest  blackish,  white  tipped;    a  pale  spot  on   primaries.     L.  6^. 
W.  3£.      T.  3.     W.  U.  S.,  E.  to  Ohio ;  abundant  on  prairies  and 
river  bluffs  ;  a  fine  songster,  suggesting  the  Bobolink.     (ypa/i/uKoj, 
streaked.) 

484.  ZONOTRICHIA  Swainson.      (foo^,  band ;  Qplg,  hair,  i.  e. 

head.) 
a.  No  yellow  markings  anywhere. 

916.  Z.  querula  (Nuttall).    BLACK-HOODED  SPARROW.    Crown, 
face  and  throat  jet  black  ;  no  yellow  ;    9  with  less  black.     L.  7^. 
W.  8J.     T.  3J.     Missouri  region,  E.  to  W.  111. 


288  AVES:  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

917.  Z.  leucophrys  (^Forster).     WHITE-CROWNED  SPARROW. 
Streaked  above,  with  but  little  chestnut ;  crown  black,  with  a  broad 
white  median  band ;  lores  blackish ;  a  white  superciliary  streak ; 
throat  like  breast,  but  paler ;    young  with  the  crown  chiefly  rich 
brown.    L.  7.    W.  3J.    T.  3  J.    N.  Ain.  ;  not  rare.    (Aeu/cos,  white ; 
o^pup,  eyebrow.) 

aa.  Head  with  yellow. 

918.  Z.  coronata  (Pallas).     Similar  to  Z.  leucophrys,  but  the 
crown-stripe  yellow  anteriorly,  ashy  behind.    L.  1\.    W.  3£.    T.  3^. 
W.  N.  Am.,  rarely  E.  to  Wis.     (Lat.,  crowned.) 

919.  Z.  albicollis  (Gmelin).     WHITE-THROATED   SPARROW. 
PEABODY  BIRD.     Much  chestnut  streaking  above ;  crown  black, 
with  white  median  and  superciliary  stripes ;   spot  over  eye  and 
edge  of  wing  always  yellow     ashy  below,  whitening  on  throat ;   9 
duller.      L.  7.     W.  3.      T.  3£.     E.  K".  Am.  ;   an  abundant  and 
handsome  sparrow.     (Lat.,  albus,  white;  collum,  neck.) 

485.  SPIZELLA  Bonaparte.     (Dim.  of  cnrt'fo,  a  sparrow.) 

920.  S.  monticola  (Gmelin).   TREE  SPARROW.    Streaked  above ; 
crown  chestnut ;  bill  black  above,  pale  below ;  neck,  line  over  eye 
and  under  parts  ashy  gray ;  a  dark  pectoral  blotch ;  white  wing 
bars  distinct.     L.  6£.     W.  3.      T.  3.      N.  Am.,  chiefly  northerly ; 
U.  S.  in  winter.     (Lat.,  living  on  mountains.) 

921.  S.   socialis   (Wilson).     CHIPPY.     CHIPPING   SPARROW. 
Streaked  above,  with  much  dull  bay ;   crown  chestnut ;   forehead 
and  streak  through  eye  black ;  ashy  white  below ;  bill  blackish ; 
wing  bars  faint,  brownish.     L.  5J.     W.   2f.     T.   2J.     N.  Am., 
everywhere  common. 

922.  S.  pusilla  (Wilson).    FIELD  SPARROW.    General  color  of 
S.  monticola,  but  paler  and  duller ;  bill  pale ;  no  pectoral  blotch ; 
wing  bands  obscure,  whitish.     L.  5£.     W.  2J.     T.  2J.     E.  U.  S., 
abundant.     (Lat.,  petty.) 

923.  S.  pallida  (Swainson).     CLAY-COLORED  SPARROW.     Pale 
brownish  yellow,  streaked  with  black  ;  crown  grayish,  with  median 
stripe.     L.  5J.     W.  2J.     T.  2J.     Great  Plains,  rarely  E.  to  111. 

486.  JUNCO  Wagler.     (Lat.,  Juncus,  a  rush.) 

924.  J.  hyemalis  (L.).   SNOW  BIRD.    Slaty  gray ;  head  darker ; 
bill  pale ;   belly  and  outer  tail  feathers  white ;    <?  more  grayish ; 
L.  6£.    W.  3.     T.  3.      N.  Am.,  everywhere  abundant,  breeding 
in  cold  regions,  and  moving  S.  as  cold  weather  approaches,  usually 
in  advance  of  the  snow.      Represented  W.  by  numerous  varieties  ; 
var.  oregonus  Townsend,  with  sides  pinkish,  ranging  E.  to  111.   (Lat., 
wintry.) 


—  CLXVII.  289 

487.  PEUCJEA  Audubon.     (TTCVK-TJ,  pine.) 

925.  P.  gestivalis  (Lichtenstein).    Upper  parts  largely  chestnut, 
with  ashy  edgings  and  dusky  streaks;  a  broad  pale  superciliary 
line ;  ashy  below,  the  breast  buffy ;  yellow  on  bend  and  edge  of 
wing,  but  none  on  head.     L.  6.    W.  2£.     T.  2£.     Southern,  N.  to 
Central  Ind.,  the  form  ranging  N.  rather  paler,  the  back  chiefly 
chestnut,  is  var.  bachmani  Audubon.     (Lat.,  summer.) 

488.  MELOSPIZA  Baird.     (peXos,  song ;  oirifo,  sparrow.) 

926.  M.  fasciata  (Gmelin).     SONG  SPARROW.     Much  streaked 
above  and  on  breast  and  sides ;  crown  with  an  obscure  ashy  median 
stripe  ;  below  white,  pectoral  streaks  often  forming  a  dusky  blotch. 
L.  6£.     W.  2^.      T.  3.      N.  Am.,  everywhere  ;  a  hearty  songster, 
beginning  early  in  spring.     (Lat.,  banded.) 

927.  M.   georgiana    (Latham).      SWAMP    SPARROW.      Crown 
bright  dark  chestnut,  streaked  with  black ;  wings  strongly  tinged 
with  chestnut ;  back  sharply  streaked ;  an  ashy  collar  and  super- 
ciliary line ;  breast  and  below  ashy  with  few  streaks  or  none ;  tail 
shorter  than  in  the  Song  Sparrow,  its  quills  edged  with  chestnut. 
L.  5f.     W.  21.     T.  2J.     E.  U.  S.,  in  low  thickets;  a  timid  bird, 
seldom  seen,  although  not  rare. 

928.  M.  lincolni  (Audubon).      Everywhere  above  and  below 
thickly,  sharply  streaked  with  black,  gray  and  buffy  ;  breast  with  a 
broad  band  of  pale  buffy  or  yellowish  brown ;  sides  washed  with 
buffy.     L.  5J.     W.  2J.      T.  2J.     N.  Am.,  rare  E. ;  a  shy  species 
quite  unlike  the  Seng  Sparrow.     (To  Robert  Lincoln.) 

489.  PASSERELLA  Swainson.     (Lat.,  passer,  sparrow.) 

929.  P.  iliaca  (Merrem).     Fox  SPARROW.     Ashy  above,  over- 
laid and  much  streaked  with  rusty  red,  which  becomes  bright  bay 
on  rump,  tail  and  wings ;   white  below  with  large  arrow-shaped 
spots  and  streaks,  numerous  on  breast ;  feet  stout,  with  long  claws. 
L.  7.     W.  3£.     T.  3.     E.  N.  Am.,  migrating  early;  one  of  the 
handsomest  streaked  sparrows  and  a  good  singer.     (Lat.,  ilium, 
flank,  which  is  streaked.) 

490.  PIPILO  Vieillot.     (Lat.,  I  peep  or  chirp.) 

930.  P.  erythrophthalmus  (L.).     CHEWINK.     MARSH  ROBIN. 
TOWHEE.     Black,  belly  white  ;  sides  chestnut ;  outer  tail  feathers, 
primaries  and  inner  secondaries  with  white ;    9  with  clear  brown 
instead  of  black ;  iris  red.      L.  8£.     W.  3J.      T.  4.      E.  U.  S., 
abundant  everywhere.     (Gr.,  red-eyed.) 

491.  CARDINALIS  Bonaparte. 

931.  C.  cardinalis  (L.).     CARDINAL  GROSBEAK.     RED  BIRD. 
Clear  red,  ashy  on  back ;   chin  and  forehead  black ;   crest  con- 

19 


290  AVES:  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

spicuous ;  9  ashy  brown,  more  or  less  washed  with  red.  L.  8£. 
W.  4.  T.  4J.  E.  U.  S.,  southerly,  N.  to  Mass,  and  N.  Wis. ; 
abundant.  A  brilliant  songster,  much  sought  as  a  cage  bird.  (Lat., 
from  color  of  cardinal's  hat.) 

492.  HABIA  Reichenbach.     (A  South  American  name.) 

932.  H.  ludoviciana  (L.).     ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK.     $ 
with  head,  neck  and  upper  parts  mostly  black,  with  white  on  rump, 
•wings  and  tail ;  belly  white  ;  breast  and  under  wing  coverts  of  an 
exquisite  rose-red ;    bill  very  stout,  pale ;    9    °^ve  brown,   much 
streaked,  with  the  under  wing  coverts  saffron  yellow ;  head  with 
whitish  stripes.     L.  8£.     W.  4.     T.  3^.      E.  N.  Am.,  abundant ; 
perhaps  our  handsomest  bird,  and  one  of  the  most  brilliant  song- 
sters.    (Lat.,  Louisianian.) 

493.  GUIRACA  Swainson.     (S.  Am.  name.) 

933.  G.   coerulea   (L.).      BLUE  GROSBEAK.       $  rich   blue ; 
feathers  about  bill,  wings  and  tail,  black  ;  wing  bars  chestnut ;    9 
yellowish  brown,  with  whitish  wing  bars.     L.  7.     W.  3-|.     T.  2|. 
Southern,  N.  to  N.  Y.  and  Wis.,  rare ;  a  fine  songster. 

494.  PASSERINA  Vieillot.     (From  passer.) 

934.  P.  cyanea  (L.).     INDIGO  BIRD.     g  indigo  blue,  clear  on 
head,  greenish  behind ;    9  plam  warm  brown,  obscurely  streaky, 
known  from  other  small  sparrows  by  a  dusky  line  along  the  gonys. 
L.  5}.     W.  3.      T.  2|.      E.  U.  S.,  abundant  in  summer  ;  a  tireless 
songster.     (Lat.,  blue.) 

935.  P.  ciris  (L.).    NONPAREIL.    PAINTED  BUNTING.     $  head 
and  neck  blue  ;  under  parts,  etc.,  vermilion  ;  shoulders,  etc.,  green  ; 
rump  and  tail  purplish-brown  ;    9  green,  yellowish  below.      L.  5-|. 
W.  2f .     T.  2J.      Southern,  N.  to  S.  111.     (Nelson.)     (/mpiy,  name 
of  some  bird.) 

495.  SPIZA  Bonaparte.     (<nri£a,  old  name  of  some  sparrow.) 

936.  S.  americana  (Gmelin).     BLACK-THROATED   BUNTING. 
"  DICK  SISSEL."     Grayish  and  streaked  above  ;  wing  coverts  chest- 
nut ;  line  over  eye,  maxillary  stripe,  edge  of  wing,  breast  and  part 
of  belly  yellow ;   throat  patch  black ;   otherwise  white  below ;   9 
with  little  chestnut,  and  the  black  reduced  to  dark  streaks.     L.  6|. 
W.  3J.     T.  2|.     Fields,  Conn,  to  Kansas,  chiefly  W.  ;  a  handsome 
bird  with  sleek  plumage,  and  a  peculiar,  but  scarcely  musical  song, 
incessantly  repeated  in  hot  weather. 

937.  S.  townsendi  (Audubon).     Upper  parts,  head,  neck,  etc., 
slaty  blue ;  no  chestnut,  and  little  yellow  or  black.     A  single  speci- 
men known  from  Penn.,  perhaps  a  hybrid.    (To.  J.  K.  Townsend.) 


TANAGRID.E.  —  CLXVIII.  291 

496.  CALAMOSPIZA  Bonaparte.     (/caAa/uos,  reed  ;  <77n'£a.) 

938.  C.  melanocorys  Stejneger.  LARK  BUNTING.  WHITE 
WING  BLACKBIRD,  g  black,  with  a  large  white  wing-patch  and 
white  on  quills;  9  streaky,  like  the  9  bobolink,  known  by  the 
whitish  wing-patch  and  long  tertials.  L.  6^.  W.  3^.  T.  2|. 
Western  plains,  occasional  E.  (/ueXas,  black  ;  /copvs,  helmet.) 


FAMILY  CLXVIII.    TANAGRID^J.     (THE  TANAGERS.) 

Primaries  9  ;  bill  usually  conical,  sometimes  depressed  or  atten- 
uate, the  culmen  curved;  cutting  edges  not  much  inflected,  some- 
times toothed,  notched  or  serrated  ;  tarsus  scutellate  ;  legs  short  ; 
claws  long.  Colors  usually  brilliant.  A  large  family  of  more  than 
300  species,  confined  to  the  warmer  parts  of  America,  and  embra- 
cing a  wide  diversity  of  forms.  Some  have  slender  bills  and  are 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  the  Warblers,  and  might  well  be  re- 
ferred to  the  same  family.  Others,  like  our  Piranga,  have  stout 
conical  bills,  and  are  equally  closely  related  to  the  Finches. 

a.  Bill  stout,  finch-like,  considerably  longer  than  broad,  and  more  or  less  evi- 
dently tcothed  or  lobed  near  middle  of  upper  mandible.     PIRANGA,  497. 

497.  PIRANGA  Vieillot.     (S.  Am.  name.) 

939.  P.  rubra  (L.).     SUMMER  RED  BIRD.     £  bright  rose  red 
throughout  ;  wings  a  little  dusky  ;    9  dull  brownish  olive,  dull  yel- 
lowish below  ;  no  wing  bars  ;  bill  and  feet  paler  than  in  the  Scarlet 
Tanager  ;  size  the  same.    E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  S.  ;  N.  to  N.  J.  and  111.  ; 
abundant.     (Lat.,  red.) 

940.  P.  erythromelas  Vieillot.     SCARLET  TANAGER.      £  bril- 
liant scarlet  ;  wings  and  tail  black  ;  no  wing  bars  ;    9  clear  olive 
green  ;  clear  greenish  yellow  below.      L.  7^.      W.  4.      T.  3.      E. 
N.    Am.,   abundant  in  woodland;    a  most  beautiful   bird  and  a 
respectable  songster,     (tpvdpos,  red  ;  /*e'Xar,  black.) 

FAMILY  CLXIX.    HIRUNDINID^Sl.     (THE  SWALLOWS.) 

Primaries  9,  the  first  being  obsolete  ;  bill  "  fissirostral,"  i.  e., 
short,  broad,  triangular,  depressed,  the  gape  wide  and  about 
twice  as  long  as  the  culmen,  reaching  to  about  opposite  the  eyes, 
similar  in  its  form  to  that  of  the  Swifts  and  the  Goatsuckers,  with 
which  birds  the  Swallows  have  no  real  affinity.  Rictus  without 
bristles;  wings  very  long  and  pointed,  the  first  primary  usually 
longest,  and  twice  as  long  as  the  last;  secondaries  very  short. 
Tail  more  or  less  forked.  Feet  weak;  tarsus  scutellate,  shorter 
than  middle  toe  and  claw.  Plumage  compact,  and  more  or  less 
lustrous. 

A  very  natural  family  of  about  100  species,  found  in  all  parts  of 


292        AVES:  PASSEEES.  —  XLVI. 

the  world.     All  are  strong  on  the  wing,  insectivorous,  and  in  our 

latitude  migratory.     (Lat.,  hirundo,  swallow.) 

a.  Nostrils  opening  directly  upward,  with  very  little  membrane  bordering 

inner  edge. 
b.  Tail  forked  for  a  distance  more  than  half  tarsus ;  bill  very  stout,  curved, 

(plumage  lustrous,  <7  all  black) PROGNE,  498. 

lib.  Tail  even. 

c.  Outer  web  of  outer  primary  without  recurved  hooks ;  (plumage  lustrous). 

PETROCHELIDON,  499. 
cc.  Outer  web  of  outer  primary  with  stiff  recurved  hooks,  obscure  in  $  ; 

(plumage  plain  brown.) STELGIDOPTERYX,  503. 

aa.  Nostril  opening  laterally,  and  bordered  above  by  a  broad  membrane  or 
overhanging  scale. 
d.  Tail  forked  for  more  than  half  its  length,  the  outer  feathers  very 

narrow  toward  tip ;  no  tarsal  tuft CHELIDON,  500. 

dd.  Tail  forked  for  less  than  half  its  length. 

e.  Tarsus  without  tuft  of  feathers  on  its  lower  part;  (plumage  lus- 
trous)  TACHYCINETA,  501. 

ee.  Tarsus  with  a  small  tuft  of  feathers  on  its  lower  part;  (plumage 
plain  brownish).      .     .         CLIVICOLA,  502. 

498.  PROGNE  Boie.     (UpoKinj,  a  character  in  mythology,  turned 
into  a  swallow.) 

941.  P.  subis  (L.).    PURPLE   MARTIN.     Lustrous  blue-black 
throughout ;    9  duller,  whitish  and  streaky  below.     L.  1\.     W.  6. 
T.  3£.     N.  Am.,  abundant.     (Lat.,  old  name  of  some  bird.) 

499.  PETROCHELIDON  Cabanis.     (?rerpa,  rock;  ^cXtScai/.) 

942.  P.   lunifrons   (Say).     CLIFF  SWALLOW.     Lustrous  steel 
blue ;  forehead,  sides  of  head,  throat,  rump,  etc.,  of  various  shades 
of  chestnut ;  a  blue  spot  on  breast ;  belly  whitish.     L.  5  J.     W.  4^. 
T.   2|>     N.  Am.,   abundant,  formerly  nesting   in   cliffs,  but   now 
building  under  the  eaves   of   barns.      (Lat.,   luna,   moon ;  frons, 
forehead.) 

500.  CHELIDON  Forster.     (^AiSo)?,  swallow). 

943.  C.  erythrogaster    (Boddaert).     BARN   SWALLOW.     Lus- 
trous steel-blue,  buify  below ;  forehead  and  throat  deep  chestnut ; 
an  imperfect  steel-blue  collar ;  tail  feathers  with  white  spots.     L.  7. 
"W.  5.     T.  4^.     N.  Am.,  very  abundant ;  breeding  in  colonies  about 
barns,  etc.     (Gr.,  red-belly.) 

501.  TACHYCINETA  Cabanis.     (raxvKivrjTos,  moving  swiftly.) 

a.  Ear  coverts  steel-blue;    upper  parts  with  metallic  lustre.     (Jridoprocne 
Coues.) 

944.  T.  bicolor  (Vieillot).    WHITE-BELLIED  SWALLOW.    Lus- 
trous blue-green,  pure  white  below ;  9  duller.    L.  6|-.    W.  5.    T.  2f . 
N.  Am.,  abundant  about  water ;  very  handsome. 


AMPELID^E.  —  CLXX.  293 

502.  CLIVICOLA  Forster.     (Lat.,  clivus,  cliff;  colo,  I  inhabit.) 

945.  C.    riparia   (L.).     BANK   SWALLOW.     SAND   MARTIN. 
Dark  gray,  not  iridescent,  pale  below,  a  brown  shade  across  the 
breast.     L.  4f.     W.  4.     T.  2.     N.  Am.,  abundant,  breeding  in 
holes  in  sandbanks.     (Eu.).     (Lat.,  of  the  bank  of  a  stream.) 

503.  STELGIDOPTERYX  Baird.     (oreX-yts,  scraper; 
irrfpvg,  wing.) 

946.  S.  serripennis  (Audubon).     ROUGH-WINGED  SWALLOW. 
Brownish  gray,  pale  below.     L.  5£.     W.  4£.     T.  2£.     U.  S.,  com- 
mon W.,  breeding  in  banks,  etc.    (Lat.,  serra,  saw ;  penna,  feather.) 

FAMILY  CLXX.    AMPBLIDu3E3.     (THE  CHATTERERS.) 

Primaries  10,  or  apparently  9,  the  first  in  our  species  rudimen- 
tary and  displaced;  bill  stout,  triangular,  depressed,  decidedly 
notched  and  hooked,  with  the  gape  very  wide.  Tarsus  short,  with 
the  lateral  plates  more  or  less  subdivided,  their  covering  often  un- 
like that  of  the  other  Oscines ;  lateral  toes  nearly  equal.  As  now 
recognized,  a  small  family  of  6  or  8  species,  constituting  two  groups 
which  bear  little  resemblance  to  each  other. 

The  Ampelince  includes  the  three  species  of  Ampelis.  They  are 
crested  birds  with  a  soft  plumage  of  a  handsome  cinnamon  drab 
color ;  the  ends  of  the  secondaries,  and  sometimes  of  the  tail  feathers 
also,  are  tipped  with  horny  appendages,  looking  like  red  sealing- 
wax  ;  these  often  absent  in  9  •  The  tail  is  tipped  with  yellow  or 
red.  The  Wax  Wings  are  migratory  and  gregarious,  feeding  on 
insects  and  soft  fruits.  Their  voices  are  weak  and  wheezy,  and 
they  can  scarcely  be  considered  as  songsters. 

a.  Wings  pointed;  tail  short,  truncate;  primaries  apparently  9;  the  first  very 
minute;  no  rictal  bristles;  nostrils  concealed  by  bristles.    (Ampelinas.) 

AMPELIS,  504. 

504.  AMPELIS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  name  of  some  bird  frequenting 
grape-vines.) 

947.  A.  garrulus  L.     BOHEMIAN  WAX  WING.     NORTHERN 
WAX  WING.     General  color  a  soft  silky,  ashy  brown ;  front  and 
sides  of  head  shaded  with  purplish  cinnamon ;  a  pale-edged  black 
band   across  forehead  through  eye,  around  crest;   throat  black; 
crissum  chestnut  red ;  two  broad  white  wing  bars.    L.  7£.     W.  4^. 
T.  3.     Northern  regions,  S.  in  winter  in  large  flocks  to  the  Great 
Lakes ;  an  interesting  and  beautiful  bird.     (Eu.) 

948.  A.  cedrorum  (Vieillot).     CEDAR  BIRD.     CHERRY  BIRD. 

Similar  but  smaller  and  less  cinnamon-tinged ;  chin  black ;  strip 
across  face  black,  bordered  above  by  whitish ;  belly  yellowish  pos- 
teriorly $  crissum  white ;  no  wing  bars ;  9  with  the  wax-like  ap- 


294  AVES:   PASSERES. — XLVI. 

pendages  small  or  wanting.      L.  6£.     W.  8}.    T.   2J.     N.  Am., 
abundant.    (Lat.,  of  the  cedars.) 

FAMILY  CLXXI.    LANIID^S-    (THE  SHRIKES.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  (rarely  wanting)  ;  bill  hawklike, 
very  strong,  the  upper  mandible  toothed  and  abruptly  hooked  at 
the  tip ;  both  mandibles  distinctly  notched.  Wings  short,  rounded. 
Tail  long.  Tarsus  scutellate  on  the  outside  as  well  as  in  front. 
Sexes  alike. 

Species  about  100,  found  in  most  parts  of  the  world,  remarkable 
for  their  vigor  and  pugnacity.  Their  habits,  corresponding  with 
the  form  of  the  bill,  are  similar  to  those  of  birds  of  prey,  for  which 
reason  they  were  placed  by  Linnaeus  among  the  Accipitres.  They 
have  a  remarkable  habit  of  impaling  small  animals  on  thorns  and 
leaving  them  there. 

a.  Rictus  with  bristles;  nostrils  concealed  by  bristly  tufts ;  first  primary  not 
very  short LAJJIUS,  505. 

505.  LANIUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  butcher.) 

949.  L.  borealis  Vieillot.    GREAT  NORTHERN  SHRIKE.    BUTCH- 
ERBIRD.     Ashy  above,  rump  paler ;   black  bars  on  side  of  head 
narrow,  not  meeting  in  front,  and  interrupted  by  a  white  crescent 
on  under  eyelid  ;  rump  and  shoulders  whitish ;  wings  and  tail  black, 
outer  tail  feathers  with  white ;   white  below  always  waved  with 
blackish.     L.  9J.     W.  4J.     T.  4  j.     N.  N.  Am.,  S.  in  winter  to  Ky. 
and  Va. 

950.  L.   ludovicianus   L.      LOGGER-HEAD    SHRIKE.      Clear 
ashy  blue ;  a  whitish  superciliary  line ;  black  bars  on  sides  of  head 
broad,  meeting  across  forehead ;  no  white  on  under  eyelid  ;  adults 
white  below,  not  dark-waved.     L.  9.     W.  3f.    T.  4.     S.  U.  S.,  the 
typical  variety,  S.  E.,  N.  to  Ohio  and  Vt. ;  a  paler  form,  var.  ex- 
cubitorides   Swainson  (White   Humped  Shrike),  common  W.,  E.  to 
N.  Y.     This  has  the  tail  coverts  whitish.     L.  9.     W.  4.     T.  4. 
(Lat.,  Louisianian.) 

FAMILY  CLXXII.    VIRBONID^J.     (THE  VIREOS.) 

Primaries  10,  or  apparently  only  9,  the  first  being  often  rudi- 
mentary and  displaced.  Bill  shorter  than  head,  stout,  compressed, 
decidedly  notched  and  hooked.  Rictus  with  bristles.  Nostrils 
exposed,  overhung  by  a  scale,  reached  by  the  bristly  frontal  feath- 
ers. Tarsus  scutellate  ;  toes  soldered  at  base  for  the  whole  length 
of  basal  joint  of  middle  one,  which  is  united  with  the  basal  joint  of 
the  inner  and  the  two  basal  joints  of  the  outer ;  lateral  toes  usually 
unequal. 

A  rather  small  family,  comprising  5  genera  and  60  to  70  species 
of  small  olivaceous  birds,  all  American.  They  are  allied  to  the 


VIREONID^E.  —  CLXXII.  295 

Laniidce,  being  in  fact  small  insectivorous  Shrikes.  The  color- 
ation is  usually  blended,  and  varies  little  with  age  or  sex.  Many  of 
them  are  remarkable  as  songsters. 

Concerning  the  "  nine-priniaried "  species,  Professor  Baird  re- 
marks :  — 

"  In  V.  flavifrons,  in  which  the  outer  primary  is  supposed  to  be  wanting, 
its  presence  may  be  easily  appreciated.  One  of  the  peculiar  characters  of 
this  species  consists  in  a  narrow  edging  of  white  to  all  the  primary  quills, 
while  the  primary  coverts  (the  small  feathers  covering  their  bases,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  what  are  usually  termed  the  wing  coverts,  which  more 
properly  belong  to  the  forearm  or  secondaries)  are  without  them.  If  these 
coverts  are  carefully  pushed  aside,  two  small  feathers  considerably  shorter 
than  the  others  will  be  disclosed,  one  overling  the  other,  which  (the 
under  one)  springs  from  the  base  of  the  exposed  portion  of  the  long  out- 
ermost primary,  and  lies  immediately  against  its  outer  edge.  This  small 
feather  is  stiff,  falcate,  and  edged  with  white  like  the  other  quills,  and 
can  be  brought  partly  around  on  the  inner  edge  of  the  large  primary, 
when  it  will  look  like  any  spurious  quill.  The  overlying  feather  is  soft, 
and  without  light  edge.  In  the  other  Vireos,  with  appreciable  spurious 
or  short  outer  primary,  a  similar  examination  will  reveal  only  one  small 
feather  at  the  outer  side  of  the  base  of  the  exterior  large  primary.  In 
all  the  families  of  Passeres,  where  the  existence  of  nine  primaries  is 
supposed  to  be  characteristic,  I  have  invariably  found,  as  far  as  my  ob- 
servations have  extended,  that  there  were  two  of  the  small  feathers  re- 
ferred to,  while  in  those  of  ten  primaries  but  one  would  be  detected." 

a.  Wings  not  shorter  than  tail;  outer  toe  longer  than  inner.    .      VIREO,  506. 

506.  VIREO  Vieillot.     (Lat.,  I  grow  green.) 

a.  Wings  long  and  pointed,  £  or  more  longer  than  tail;  first  primary  very 

small  or  apparently  wanting,  not  £  second. 

b.  Slender  species ;  bill  slender,  light  horn  color,  pale  below;  commissure 
straight  and  culmen  relatively  so;  no  wing  bars  nor  conspicuous  orbital 
ring;  feet  weak.    ( Vireosylva  Bonaparte.) 
c.  Primaries  apparently  9,  the  first  obsolete. 

951.  V.    olivaceus   (L.).     RED-EYED    VIREO.      GREENLET. 
Olive  green,  crown  ashy,  edged  on  each  side  with  blackish ;  a  white 
superciliary  line,  and  below  this  a  dusky  streak ;  white  below,  some- 
what olive  shaded ;  iris  red.     L.  6.     W.  3£.     T.  2£.     E.  N.  Am., 
very  abundant  in  woodland ;  an  energetic  songster. 

952.  V.  philadelphicus  (Cassin).     Dull  olive  green,  becoming 
ashy  on  crown  ;  no  black  lines  on   head ;    a  whitish  superciliary 
line ;  below  faintly  yellowish,  fading  to  white  on  throat.     L.  4^. 
W.  2f .     T.  2J.     E.  N.  Am.,   scarce.     (tfuAea),   I  love ; 
brother.) 

cc.  Primaries  evidently  10,  the  first  well  developed. 


296  AVES:   PASSERES. —  XL VI. 

953.  V.  gilvus  (Vieillot).    WARBLING  VIREO.    Colors  exactly 
as  in  the  preceding,  but  the  spurious  quill  evident.     L.  5^.     W.  2f . 
T.  2£.     E.  N.  A.,  frequent ;  an  exquisite  songster,  nesting  in  tall 
trees  in  cities.     (Lat.,  yellowish.) 

bb.  Stout  species,  the  bill  short  and  stout,  blue-black ;  a  pale  stripe  running 
to  and  around  eye ;  two  white  wing  bars ;  quills  blackish,  mostly 
edged  with  pale;  feet  stout.    (Lanivireo  Baird.) 
d.  Primaries  apparently  9,  the  first  obsolete. 

954.  V.  flavifrons  Vieillot.    YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO.    Rich 
olive  green  above,  becoming  ashy  on  rump ;  bright  yellow  below ; 
belly  white ;  superciliary  line  and  orbital  ring  yellow.     L.  5|.    W. 
3.    T.  2.     E.  U.   S.,  abundant,  the  most  brightly  colored  species. 
(Lat.,  yellow-fronted.) 

dd.  Primaries  evidently  10,  the  first  small  but  distinct. 

955.  V.  solitarius  (Wilson).    BLUE-HEADED  VIREO.     Bright 
olive  green ;  crown  and  sides  of  head  bluish-ash ;    stripe  to  and 
around  eye  white  ;    a  dusky  line  below  it ;  white  below,  washed 
with  yellow.     L.  5f .     W.  3.     T.  2£.     U.  S.  in  woodland  ;  a  hand- 
some species.     Var.  alticola  Brewster,  is  a  larger  form,  darker  in 
color,  in  the  Great  Smoky  region  and  S. 

aa.  Wings  relatively  short  and  rounded,  not  J  longer  than  tail,  first  primary 
§  or  more  length  of  second ;  bill  stout.    ( Vireo.) 

958.    V.    noveboracensis    (Gmelin).     WHITE-EYED  VIREO. 

Bright  olive  green,  white  below ;  sides  and  crissum  bright  yellow ; 
pale  wing  bars ;  stripe  from  bill  to  and  around  eye,  yellow ;  iris 
white.  L.  5.  W.  2J.  T.  2J.  E.  U.  S.,  in  thickets;  a  sprightly 
bird,  with  a  loud  and  varied  song.  (Lat.,  of  New  York.) 

957.  V.  belli  Audubon.  BELL'S  VIREO.  Olive  green,  yellow 
below,  chin  and  superciliary  line  whitish  ;  wing  bars  whitish.  L.  41. 
W.  2J.  T.  2.  111.  to  Dak.  and  W.  (To  J.  G.  Bell.) 

FAMILY  CLXXIII.  MNIOTILTID^3.  (THE  NEW  WORLD 
WARBLERS.) 

Primaries  9 ;  inner  secondaries  not  enlarged,  nor  the  hind  toe 
long  and  straight,  as  in  Alaudidce  and  Motacillidce.  Bill  usually 
rather  slender,  notched  or  not ;  the  commissure  not  angulated  at 
base,  as  in  Fringillidce,  nor  toothed  in  the  middle,  as  in  some  Tana- 
gridce ;  the  end  not  notched  and  abruptly  hooked,  as  in  Vireonidaz 
and  Laniidce  ;  the  gape  not  broad  and  reaching  to  the  eyes,  as  in 
Hirundinidce. 

The  Warblers  are  small  birds ;  all,  except  Icteria,  are  less 
than  6^  inches  in  length,  and  very  many  are  less  than  5.  The 
colors  are  usually  brilliant  and  variegated,  but  the  sexes  are  unlike, 
and  the  variations  due  to  age  and  season  are  great,  so  that  the 
identification  of  immature  birds  is  often  very  difficult.  Many  of 


MNIOTILTID^E.  —  CLXXIII.  297 

the  Warblers  are  pleasing  songsters,  but  none  exhibit  any  remark- 
able powers  in  that  line.  The  name  "  Warbler  "  comes  from  their 
resemblance  to  the  warblers  of  Europe  (Sylviidce}  and  not  from 
any  distinguished  musical  quality  of  their  own.  All  are  insectivo- 
rous and  migratory. 

This  family  consists  of  more  than  100  species,  all  American. 
The  MniotiltidcE  grade  perfectly  into  the  Ccerebidce  and  Tanagridce, 
and  the  last  as  perfectly  into  the  Fringillidce.  Convenience  is  the 
only  excuse  for  retaining  any  of  these  groups  as  distinct  families. 

«.  Bill  not  depressed  and  fly-catcher-like;  rictal  bristles  if  present  scarcely 

reaching  beyond  nostrils. 

b.  Bill  rather  slender,  little  compressed;  (small  birds;  length  less  than  6i)« 

d.  Hind  toe  with  claw  very  long,  as  long  as  tarsus  in  front ;  claw  of 

middle  toe  in  same  line  as  axis  of  the  toe ;  (color  black  and  white, 

no  yellow) MNIOTILTA,  507. 

dd.  Hind  toe  with  claw  much  shorter  than  naked  portion  of  tarsus  in 
front;  claw  of  middle  toe  (seen  from  above)  set  obliquely  to  axis 
of  the  toe. 
e.  Middle  toe  with  claw  not  shorter  than  tarsus ;  (no  white  wing  bars) ; 

bill  rather  long. 

/.  (Tail  feathers  blotched  with  white.)   .     .    PROTONOTARIA,  508. 
Jf.  (Tail  feathers  without  white.) 

g.  Bill  very  much  compressed;  culmen  straight,  with  a  ridge 

at  base HELINAIA,  509. 

gg.  Bill  slightly  compressed;  culmen  gently  curved,  the  basal 

portion  not  ridged HELMITHERUS,  510. 

ee.  Middle  toe  with  claw  decidedly  shorter  than  naked  portion  of 
tarsus  in  front  (except  in  Dendroica  dominica,  a  species  with 
white  wing  bars). 

h.  Rictus  without  bristles ;  bill  very  acute,  scarcely  notched ;  (tail 
feathers  with  or  without  white).    HELMINTHOPHILA,  511. 
hh.  Rictus  with  bristles. 

i.  Tail  scarcely  rounded,  usually  much  shorter  than  wing; 
(tail  blotched  with  white  or  with  the  inner  web  bright 
yellow  ;  legs  and  feet  moderate,  usually  dark  colored). 
j.  Hind  toe  evidently  longer  than  its  claw;  bill  acute,  not 

notched COMPSOTHLYPIS,  512. 

jj.  Hind  toe  scarcely  longer  than  its  claw;  bill  usually 
not  very  acute,  and  with  a  slight  notch  toward  its 

tip DENDROICA,  513. 

ii.  Tail  usually  more  or  less  rounded,  not  very  much  shorter 
than  wing;  legs  and  feet  strong,  usually  pale;  (no  white 
or  bright  3'ellow  on  tail  feathers). 
Jc.  (Lower  parts  much  streaked.)      .     .     SKIURUS,  514. 
Tele.  (Lower  parts  not  streaked.).      -    GEOTHLYPIS.  515. 

bb.  Bill  stout,  much  compressed,  its  greatest  depth  half  its  length  from  nos- 
tril to  tip;  outer  side  of  tarsus  smooth  on  its  upper  half;  tail  longer 
than  wings;  bill  without  notch  or  bristles;  (large,  more  than  7).  Chats. 

ICTERIA,  516. 

aa.  Bill  depressed,  broader  than  deep  at  base,  notched  and  slightly  hooked, 
with  strong  rictal  bristles  about  half  the  length  of  bill;  length  5£  or  less. 
Fly-catching  Warblers. 


298  AYES:  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

I.  Bill  fully  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  base  ;  tail  a  little  shorter  than  wings. 

SYLVANIA,  517. 

II.  Bill  scarcely  twice  as  long  as  wide  at  base,  formed  much  as  in  a  Fly- 

catcher ;  tail  about  as  long  as  wings SETOPHAGA,  518. 

507.  MNIOTILTA  Vieillot.     (pviov,  moss  ;  rtXXo),  I  pluck.) 

958.  M.  varia  (L.).     BLACK  AND  WHITE  CREEPER.     Every- 
where black  and  white,  streaked ;  crown  with  a  broad  white  stripe ; 
wing  bars  white  ;    9  similar,  grayer.    L.  5.    W.  2|.    T.  2£.    E.  N. 
Am.,  not  rare ;  a  beautiful  warbler,  with  the  habits  of  a  nut-hatch. 

508.  PROTONOTARIA  Baird.     (Lat.,  first  notary.) 

959.  P.    citrea      (Boddaert).      PROTHONOTARY    WARBLER. 
GOLDEN-HEADED   WARBLER.     Front  and  lower   parts  brilliant 
yellow ;  back   olivaceous  ;  wings  and  tail  dusky ;  rump  ashy  ;   bill 
long.     L.  5J.     W.  3.     T.  2J.     S.  U.  S.,  N.  to  Wabash  Valley,  in 
bushy  swamps ;  rather  rare,  a  most  beautiful  bird.     (Lat.,  lemon- 
yellow.) 

509.  HELINAIA  Audubon.     (eXos,  swamp  ;  vaiu,  to  dwell.) 

960.  H.  swaiiisoni  Audubon.     Chiefly  olive-brown,  reddish  on 
top  of  head ;  a  dusky  loral  streak,  bordered  above  by  a  brownish 
white  superciliary  stripe ;  head  with  a  paler  median  streak  ;  yel- 
lowish white  below.     L.  6.     W.  2.     T.  2.     S.  C.  to  Texas,  N.  to 
S.  Ind. ;  rare.     (To  Wm.  Swainson.) 

510.  HELMITHERUS  Rafinesque.     (eX/zii/y,  bug ;  fypdu, 
to  hunt.) 

961.  H.    vermivorus     (Gmelin).      WORM -EATING    SWAMP 
WARBLER.     Olive   green ;   head  buffy,  with  four  black  stripes ; 
buffy  below ;   9  similar.     L.  5$.     W.  3.     T.  2J.     E.  U.  S.,  N.  to 
L.  Erie.     (Lat.,  worm-eating.) 

511.  HELMINTHOPHILA  Ridgway.     (eX/ui/s,  bug;  <£iXoy, 
loving.) 

a.  Tail  feathers  with  distinct  white  blotches ;  wings  with  bands  or  patches  of 

white  or  yellow. 
b.  Throat  and  ear-coverts  black  in  <f ,  dusky  gray  in  $ . 

962.  H.  chrysoptera1  (L.).  GOLDEN-WINGED  WARBLER. 
Ashy  blue ;  forehead,  crown  and  wing  patch  bright  yellow ;  throat 
and  broad  stripe  through  eye  black  ;  a  white  streak  above  eye  and 
one  below  black  of  cheek ;  belly  mostly  white ;  9  duller,  L.  5. 
W.  2J.  T.  21.  E.  U.  S.,  N".  to  N.  Mich. ;  a  beautiful  bird,  (xpwos, 
gold ;  irTfpov,  wing.) 

1  H.  lawrencei  (Herrick).  Similar  to  H.  chrysoptera ;  cheeks  and  lower  parts  pure 
yellow  ;  wing  bars  white  ;  back,  etc.,  olive-green.  N.  J.,  etc.,  rare.  Either  a  hybrid 
of  chrysoptera  and  pinus  or  else  a  yellow  dichromatic  phase  of  the  former.  The 
latter  view  is  considered  by  Ridgway  the  most  probable.  (To  Geo.  N.  Lawrence.) 


MNIOTILTID^E.  —  CLXXIII.  299 

bb.  Throat  yellow  or  white;  ear  coverts  olive  or  ashy  above,  pale  below. 

963.  H.    pinus *    (L.).    BLUE-WINGED    YELLOW  WARBLER. 
Olive  green ;    crown  and   all  under  parts   bright  yellow ;   wing 
bars   whitish  ;    loral   strip   black ;     9    similar.     L.   4£.     W.    2J. 
T.  2,     E.  U.  S.,  N.  to  N.  Y ;   a  handsome  bird,  like  a  miniature 
Protonotaria.     (Lat.,  pine.) 

aa.  Tail  feathers  without  white;  no  wing  bars. 

964.  H.  peregrina  (Wilson).     TENNESSEE  WARBLER.     Olive 
green ;  head  more  or  less  ashy  and  without  crown  patch  ;  white  or 
slightly  yellowish  below.     L.  4£.     W.  2f.     T.  If.     N.  Am.,  rare 
E.  of  Ohio ;  closely  resembles  the  young  of  the  two  following,  but 
its  wings  are  nearly  half  longer  than  the  short  tail ;  celat a  has  no 
ashy  on  head,  and  rujicapilla  is  yellower  below. 

965.  H.  celata  (Say).     ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER.     Olive 
green,  never  ashy  on  head  ;  crown  patch  orange  brown,  more  or 
less  concealed ;  greenish  yellow  below ;  9  duller,  sometimes  without 
crown  patch,  known  from  the  next  by  the  more  olive  color  of  the 
head,  which  is  similar  to  the  back ;  belly  less  yellow.     L.  4|.     W. 
2J.     T.  2.     N.  Am. ;  rare  E.     (Lat.,  concealed.) 

966.  H.  ruficapilla  (Wilson).     NASHVILLE  WARBLER.    Olive 
green,  ashy  on  head  and  neck,  the  color  contrasting  with  back ; 
crown  patch  bright  chestnut,  more  or  less  concealed  ;  bright  yellow 
below  ;  lores  and  orbital  ring  pale  ;  9  duller,  crown  patch  obscure. 
L.  4f     W.  2£.      T.  2.     E.  N.  Am.,  common.      (Lat.,  rufus,  red  ; 
capillus,  hair.) 

512.  COMPSOTHLYFIS  Cabanis.  (Parula  Bonaparte ;  changed 
on  account  of  the  earlier  Parulus.)  (KO/T^OS,  comely  ;  OXvnis, 
a  little  bird  or  warbler.) 

967.  C.  americana  (L.).    BLUE  YELLOW-BACKED  WARBLER. 

Clear  ashy  blue  ;  back  with  a  large  golden  green  patch ;  yellow  be- 
low, belly  white ;  a  brown  band  across  breast ;  white  wing  bars ; 
tail  feathers  with  white ;  9  obscurely  marked.  L.  4|.  W.  2J.  T.  2. 
E.  N.  Am.,  not  rare ;  very  elegant. 

513.  DENDROICA  Gray.     (Sei/8pop,  tree  ;  oiVeo),  I  inhabit.) 
A  large  genus  comprising  about  30  species  of  brightly  colored 
little  birds,  very  abundant  in  the  United  States  during  the  migra- 

1  H.  Uucobronchialis  (Brewster).  Ashy  gray  ;  throat  and  lower  parts  white  ;  wing 
bands  yellow  or  white;  variable.  E.  U.  S.,  not  common;  now  considered  as  probably 
a  white  phase  of  H.  pinus,  as  H.  lawrencei  is  a  yellow  phase  of  cfa-ysoptera.  It  is 
further  thought  that  the  two  species  in  both  yellow  and  white  condition  hybridize. 
(AeuKos,  white  ;  /Spoyxos,  throat.) 

H.  cincinnatiensis  Langdon.  Olive  green,  lores  and  part  of  ear  coverts  black  ; 
spot  below  eye  and  entire  lower  parts  yellow.  Cincinnati ;  now  regarded,  as  a  hybrid 
of  H.  pinus  and  Geothlypis  formosus.  (See  Ridgway,  N.  Am.  Birds,  p.  486.) 


300  AVES  :  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

tions.  The  adult  males  of  the  different  species  are  readily  dis- 
tinguished, but  9  and  young  offer  difficulties.  The  tail  feathers 
are  always  marked  with  white  or  yellow,  and  the  bill  is  usually 
little  pointed,  notched,  and  with  evident  bristles  at  the  rictus. 

The  following  artificial  analysis,  partly  taken  from  Coues's 
"Key,"  will  generally  enable  the  student  to  distinguish  speci- 
mens, at  least  the  males  in  full  plumage :  — 

a.  Tail  feathers  edged  with  yellow;  plumage  chiefly  yellow.      .    cestiva,  969. 
aa.  Tail  feathers  blotched  with  white. 
b.  A  white  blotch  on  the  primaries  near  their  bases;  no  wing  bars. 

ccerulescens,  970. 

bb.  No  white  blotch  on  primaries, 
c.  Wing  bars,  if  present,  not  white. 
d.  White  below;  crown  and  wing  patch  more  or  less  yellow. 

pennsylvanica,  974. 
dd.  Yellow  below;  sides  reddish-streaked ;  crown  chestnut. 

palmarum,  983. 
ddd.  Yellow  below;  sides  black-streaked. 

e.  Back  olive  with  reddish  spots .    discolor,  982. 

ee.  Back  ashy kirtlandi,  981. 

cc.  Wing  bars  or  wing  patch  white. 
f.  Rump  yellow. 

g.  Crown  clear  ash;  yellow  and  streaked  below,    maculosa,  972. 
gg.  Crown  with  yellow  spot;  white  and  streaked  below. 

coronata,  971. 
ggg.  Crown  black  with  a  median  stripe  of  orange  brown;  an 

orange  brown  ear-spot tigrina,  968. 

ff.  Rump  not  yellow. 

h.  Crown  with  orange  or  yellow  spot;  throat  orange  or  yellow. 

blackburnice,  978. 

hh.  Crown  black ;  no  distinct  yellow  anywhere ;  much  streaked. 

striata,  976. 

hhh.  Crown  blue  or  greenish,  like  the  back ;  no  definite  yellow. 

ccerulea,  973. 
MM.  Crown  chestnut,  like  the  throat;   no  definite  yellow; 

buffy  below castanea,  975. 

hhhkh.  Crown  bluish  or  yellowish,  not  as  above,  —  some  yel- 
low. 

t.  Throat  black   (sometimes    obscured  by  yellow  tips   to 
feathers);  outer  tail  feather  white-edged,    virens,  979. 
it.  Throat  j^ellow. 

j.  Back  ashy  blue ;  cheeks  black.  .     .     .    dominica,  977. 
jj.  Back  yellowish  olive;  cheeks  same.    .     .  vigorsi,  980. 

We  copy  from  Coues's  Key  the  following  valuable  diagnostic  marks 
of  Warblers  in  any  plumage  :  — 

A  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries ccerulescens,  970. 

Wings  and  tail  dusky,  edged  with  yellow cestiva,  969. 

Wing  bars  and  bell}'  yellow discolor,  982. 


MNIOTILTID.E.  —  CLXXIII.  301 

Wing  bars  yellow  and  belly  pure  white pennsylvanica,  974. 

Wing  bars  white  and  tail  spots  oblique,  at  end  of  2  (rarely  3)  outer  feathers 

only vigors!,  980. 

Wing  bars  brownish ;  tail  spots  square  at  end  of  two  outer  feathers  only. 

palmarum,  983. 

Wing  bars  not  conspicuous;  whole  under  parts  yellow;  back  with  no  greenish. 

kirtlandi,  981. 

Tail  spots  at  end  of  nearly  all  the  feathers,  and  no  definite  yellow  anywhere. 

ccerulea,  973. 
Tail  spots  at  middle  of  nearly  all  the  feathers ;  rump  and  belly  yellow. 

maculosa,  972. 
Rump,  sides  of  breast  (usually)  and  crown  with  yellow;  throat  white. 

coronata,  971. 

Throat  definitely  yellow;  belly  white;  back  with  no  greenish,    dominica,  977. 
Throat  yellow  or  orange ;  crown  with  at  least  a  trace  of  a  central  yellow  or 
orange  spot,  and  outer  tail  feather  white-edged  externally. 

blackburnice,  978. 

Throat,  breast  and  sides  black,  or  with  black  traces  (seen  on  parting  the 
feathers);  sides  of  head  with  diffuse  yellow;  outer  tail  feather  white- 
edged  externally virens,  979. 

Bill  acute,  perceptibly  curved ;  rump  usually  yellow tigrina,  968. 

With  none  of  the  foregoing  special  marks;  crissum  buffy.     .      castanea,  975. 
Crissum  white striata,  976. 

a.  Bill  very  acute,  the  tip  appreciably  decurved,  terminal  half  of  tongue  with 
its  edges  folded  over  upon  the  upper  surface,  the  tip  deeply  cleft  and 
fringed.  (Perissoglossa  Baird.) 

968.  D.  tigrina  (Gmelin).    CAPE  MAY  WARBLER.     Olivaceous 
above  with  black  streaks ;  rump  and  sides  of  neck  bright  yellow ; 
yellow  below,  much  streaked  with  black  ;  crown  mostly  black ;  ear 
coverts  orange  brown  ;  a  white  wing  patch ;  9  duller,  with  no  black 
or  reddish  about  head.    L.  5}.   W.  2f .    T.  2.   E.  U.  S.    A  fine  spe- 
cies with  a  peculiar  structure  of  the  tongue,  which  is  somewhat  as 
in  the  Honey  Creepers  (Ccerebidce)  of  the  Tropics. 

aa.  Bill  not  very  acute  nor  distinctly  decurved  at  tip ;  tongue  gradually  taper- 
ing to  the  slightly  cleft  and  fringed  tip,     (Dendroica.) 
b.  Tail  feathers  without  white,  the  inner  web  yellow. 

969.  D.  aestiva  (Gmelin).      SUMMER  WARBLER.      GOLDEN 
WARBLER.     Chiefly  golden  yellow ;  breast  and  sides  with  orange 
brown  streaks ;    quills  dusky,  edged  with  yellow ;    9    similar,  the 
brown  streaks  obsolete.     L.  5£.    W.  2  J.     T.  2  J.    America ;  every- 
where abundant.     (Lat.,  summer.) 

bb.  Tail  feathers  blotched  with  white. 
c.  A  white  spot  on  some  of  the  primary  quills,  near  their  bases. 

970.  D.  caerulescens  (L.).     BLACK-THROATED  BLUE   WAR- 
BLER.    Rich  gray  blue,  with  a  few  black  streaks  on  back  ;  throat, 
sides  of  head,  neck  and  sides  of  body  black,  otherwise  pure  white 
below ;  quills  black,  edged  with  blue ;   9  dull  olive  greenish,  ob- 


302  AVES:    PASSEKES. —  XLVL 

scurely  marked,  known  by  the  blotch  on  the  primaries.  L.  5J. 
W.  2f .  T.  2^.  E.  N.  Am. ;  an  elegant  species,  common.  (Lat., 
bluish.) 

cc.  No  white  spot  on  primary  quills. 

971.  D.  coronata  (L.).    YELLOW-HUMPED  WARBLER.    Bluish 
ash  above,  streaked  with  black  ;  white  below  with  large  black  area 
on  breast ;  crown  patch,  rump  and  sides  of  breast  bright  yellow, 
there  being  four  definite  yellow  places;    9  and  young  brownish, 
with  less  yellow  on  breast  and  head.    L.  5|.    W.  3.    T.  2J.    U.  S., 
very  abundant.      The  earliest  migrant ;  represented  W.  of  Rocky 
Mts.  by  D.  auduboni  Townsend,  very  similar  but  with  the  throat 
yellow.     (Lat.,  crowned.) 

972.  D.  maculosa  (Gmelin).    BLACK  AND  YELLOW  WARBLER. 
Back  black,  with  olive  skirtings  ;  rump  yellow  ;  head  clear  ash ;  a 
white  stripe  behind  eye  ;  sides  of  head  black  ;  under  parts  rich  yel- 
low, with  black  streaks  which  are  confluent  on  breast ;  crissum 
white ;   9   similar,  more  olivaceous,  with  much  less  black.     L.  5. 
W.  2£.    T.  2J.    E.  N.  Am. ;  a  brilliant  little  bird,  common.     (Lat., 
spotty.) 

973.  D.  caerulea  (Wilson).     CERULEAN  WARBLER.     Bright 
blue  with  black  streaks ;  white  below ;  breast  and  sides  with  streaks 
of  slaty  blue  ;   9  not  streaked,  greenish  above,  slightly  yellowish  be- 
low.   L.  4J.   W.  2 J.    T.  2.    E.  U.  S.,  N.  to  L.  Erie,  common  S.  W. ; 
a  dainty  species. 

974.  D.  pennsylvanica  (L.).     CHESTNUT-SIDED  WARBLER. 
Blackish  above,  much  streaked  with  whitish  and  olive ;  crown  clear 
yellow ;  black  patch  about  eye  ;  pure  white  below ;  a  line  of  bright 
chestnut  streaks  along  sides ;  wing  patch  yellowish  (never  clear 
white)  ;    9  similar  but  with  less  chestnut  and  black.      L.  5.     W. 
2£.     T.  2J.     E.  N".  Am.,  abundant,  especially  N. ;  very  pretty. 

975.  D.    castanea    (Wilson).      BAY-BREASTED     WARBLER. 
AUTUMN    WARBLER.     Back  ashy  olive,   streaked  with  black  ; 
forehead  and  sides  of  head  black,  enclosing  a  large  deep  chestnut 
crown  patch ;  chin,  throat  and  sides  chestnut,  otherwise  pale  buffy 
below  ;   9  more  olivaceous  with  less  chestnut ;  young  scarcely  dis- 
tinguishable from  striata,  but  the  latter  has  crissum  white  instead 
of  buffy ;  castanea  is  less  streaked  on  sides.     L.  5.     W.  3.     T.  2£. 
E.  N.  Am.,  not  rare.     (Lat.,  chestnut.) 

976.  D.  striata  (Forster).     BLACK-POLL  WARBLER.     Ashy 
olive,  white  below ;  almost  everywhere  streaked  with  black,  the 
streaks  below  narrow ;  whole  top  of  head  pure  black  ;   9  more  oli- 
vaceous, slightly  yellowish  below;  rather  large.      L.  5|.     W.  3. 
T.  2£.     E.  N.  Am. ;  the  last  to  migrate,  "  bringing  up  the  rear  of 
the  warbler-hosts ;  when  the  Black-Polls  appear  in  force,  the  col- 
lecting season  is  about  over."     (Coues.)     (Lat.,  striped.) 


MNIOTILTID.E.  —  CLXXIII.  303 

977.  D.  dominica  (L.).   YELLOW-THROATED  WARBLER.    Ashy 
blue ;  throat  bright  yellow ;  belly  white ;  cheeks  and  top  of  head 
black  ;  superciliary  line  white  or  yellowish  in  front.     L.  5.    W.  2|. 
T.  2J.     Southern  States  ;  N.  to  Pa.  and  N.  Ind.,  rare  N.     A  neat, 
plain  species  with  the  habits  of  a  creeper  ;  represented  W.  by  var. 
albilora  Ridgway,  smaller,  with  shorter  bill,  the  superciliary  streak 
chiefly  or  entirely  white,  instead  of  yellowish  as  in  var.  dominica. 
Miss.  Valley  and  S.     (From  St.  Domingo.) 

978.  D.  blackburniae  (Gmelin).     ORANGE-THROATED  WAR- 
BLER.    Black  above  with  buffy  streaks  ;  crown  patch,  superciliary 
line,  sides  of  neck  and  the  whole  throat  brilliant  orange,  becoming 
yellowish  on  the  belly ;   9  similar,  but  olive  and  yellow  instead  of 
black  and  orange.     L.  5£.    W.  2f .     T.  2£.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant 
in   migration,   among  the  tree-tops ;    the  most  brilliant   species. 
(To  Mrs.  Blackburn.) 

979.  D.  virens  (Gmelin).     BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WAR- 
BLER.    Clear  yellow  olive ;   rump  ashy ;   sides  of  head  rich  yel- 
low ;   whole  throat  and  breast  jet  black,  the  color  extending  along 
the   sides ;   otherwise  whitish  below ;    9   and  winter  birds  with 
the  black  interrupted  or  veiled  with  yellowish.     L.  5.     W.  2£.     T. 
2^.     E.  N.  Am. ;  abundant.     (Lat.,  greenish.) 

980.  D.  vigors!  (Audubon).     PINE-CREEPING  WARBLER.    Yel- 
low olive  above  ;  under  parts  and  superciliary  line  dark  yellow ;  no 
sharp  markings  anywhere  ;  wing  bands  dull  whitish,  distinct  only 
in  adult  $  ;  9  more  grayish.    L.  5f.    W.  3.    T.  2J.    E.  U.  S.,  N. 
to  Me.  and  N.  Mich. ;  abundant  in  pine  forests,  the  dullest  in  color 
of  our  species. 

981.  D.  kirtlandi  Baird.     KIRTLAND'S  WARBLER.     Ashy  blue 
above,  back  and  sides  streaked  with  black ;  yellow  below ;  chin 
and  crissum  white  ;  no  distinct  white  wing  bars ;  lores  black ;    9 
similar,  duller.     L.  5J.    W.  2f .     T.  2f .    E.  U.  S.,  quite  rare.    (To 
Dr.  J.  P.  Kirtland.) 

982.  D.  discolor  (Vieillot).     PRAIRIE  WARBLER.     Olive  yel- 
low ;  back  with  a  patch  of  red  spots ;  forehead,  superciliary  line, 
wing  bars  and  under  parts  bright  yellow  ;  streaked  below  ;  sides  of 
head  with  black  ;  9  similar.     L.  4f .     W.  2£.     T.  2.     E.  U.  S.,  X. 
to  Mass,  and  Mich. ;   chiefly  in  evergreen  thickets.      An  elegant 
species.     (Lat.,  two-colored.) 

983.  D.  palmarum  (Gmelin).     RED-POLL  WARBLER.     Brown- 
ish olive  above,  somewhat  streaked,  rump  brighter ;  crown  bright 
chestnut ;    superciliary  line   and  under   parts  yellow  with  brown 
streaks  ;  no  wing  bars ;  9  similar.     L.  5.    W.  2f .     T.  2£.     E.  N. 
Am. ;  abundant ;  terrestrial ;  represented  along  the  Atlantic  coast 
by  var.  hypochrysea  Ridgway,  larger,  and  much  more  deeply  colored, 
entire  lower  parts  bright  yellow.     (Lat.,  of  the  palms.) 


304  AVES  :  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

514.  SEIURUS  Swainson.     (o-eia>,  I  wag ;  ovpd,  tail.) 
a.  Crown  orange  brown  with  a  black  stripe  on  each  side. 

984.  S.  aurocapillus  (L.).     OVEN-BIRD.     GOLDEN-CROWNED 
"  THRUSH."     Bright  olive  green,  white  below,  sharply  spotted  on 
breast  and  sides,  like  a  thrush.      L.  6J.     W.  3.      T.  2£.      U.  S. ; 
abundant  in  woodland,  spending  most  of  its  time  on  the  ground, 
like  the  other  species  of  this  genus,  and  the  next ;  remarkable  for 
its  ringing  song  and  its  curious  oven-shaped  nest ;  the  largest  of  the 
true  Warblers.     (Lat.,  aurum,  gold;  capillus,  hair.) 

act.  Crown  plain  brownish. 

985.  S.  noveboracensis  (Gmelin).  WATER  WAGTAIL.  WATER 
THRUSH.     Dark  olive  brown  above,  pale  yellowish  beneath ;  thickly 
streaked  everywhere  with  the  color  of  the  back ;  superciliary  line 
buffy  ;  bill  about  half  inch  long ;  feet  dark.     L.  6.     W.  3.     T.  2J. 
N.  Am.,  in  thickets  ;  moves  its  tail  like  a  Wagtail.      The  Western 
form,  var.  notabilis  Grinnell  is  larger  and  darker ;  it  ranges  E.  to 
Ind.     (Lat.,  of  New  York.) 

986.  S.  motacilla  (Vieillot).    LARGE-BILLED  WATER  THRUSH. 
Color  of  preceding,  but  paler  below,  the  streaks  below  broader  and 
less  sharply  defined ;  superciliary  stripe  white  ;  bill  larger,  about  f 
inch ;  feet  pale.     L.  6 \.     W.  3£.     T.  2 J.     E.  U.  S.,  scarce ;  N.  to 
Mass,  and  N.  Wis.     (Lat.,  wagtail.) 

515.  GEOTHLYPIS    Cabanis.     (yea,  earth;   ffkvms,  some  small 
bird  like  a  warbler.) 

a.  Tail  evidently  shorter  than  wing,  more  than  half  hidden  by  the  coverts. 
( Oporornis  Baird.) 

987.  G.  formosa    (Wilson).      KENTUCKY  WARBLER.     Clear 
olive  green,  bright  yellow  below ;  crown  and  sides  of  head  and  neck 
black,  with  a  rich  yellow  superciliary  stripe,  which  bends  around 
the  eye  behind ;   9  with  the  black  replaced  by  dusky  olive.     L.  5|. 
W.  3.     T.  2i .     E.  U.  S.,  chiefly  S.  W.,  N.  to  Wis.  and  Conn. ;   in 
low  thickets ;  a  handsome  and  active  species.     (Lat.,  comely.) 

988.  G.  agilis    (Wilson).      CONNECTICUT  WARBLER.      Olive 
green,  ashy  on  head ;   throat  and  breast  brownish  ash,  otherwise 
yellow  below ;  no  sharp  markings  ;   in  fall  almost  uniform  olivace- 
ous.    L.  5}.     W.  3.     T.  2%.     E.  N.  Am. ;  a  shy,  quiet  bird,  rarely 
seen  in  spring. 

989.  G.    Philadelphia    (Wilson).      MOURNING    WARBLER. 
Bright  olive,  clear  yellow  below;   head  ashy;  throat  and  breast 
black,  the  feathers  usually  ashy-skirted  (as  though  the  bird  wore 
crape,  hence  "  Mourning  Warbler  ")  ;    9    and  $  not  in  full  plu- 
mage  ashy  anteriorly,  almost  exactly  like  G.  agilis,  but  the  tail 
more  nearly  length  of  wings ;  no  white  spot  on  eyelid.     L.  5^.     W. 
2£.     T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  rather  rare,  in  dense  thickets. 


. 

MNIOTILTIDJE.  —  CLXXIIL  305 

aa.  Tail  not  shorter  than  wing;  its  feathers  not  half  concealed  by  coverts. 
(Geothlypis.) 

990.  G.  trichas  (L.).    MARYLAND  YELLOW  THROAT.     Olive 

green  ;  forehead  and  broad  mask  extending  down  sides  of  head  and 
neck  jet  black,  bordered  behind  with  clear  ash;  under  parts  yellow, 
clear  on  throat  and  breast  ;  9  obscurely  marked,  without  black 
mask  and  with  less  yellow.  L.  4£.  W.  2J.  T.  2£.  U.  S.,  abun- 
dant in  thickets  ;  a  pretty  bird  with  a  lively  song.  Replaced  W., 
by  var.  occidentalis  Brewster,  larger  and  brighter,  the  belly  clear 
yellow  instead  of  buffy  whitish.  Rocky  Mts.,  E.  to  Ga.  and  111. 
ar,  some  small  bird.) 


516.  ICTBRIA  Vieillot.     (utrepos,  yellowness,  as  jaundice.) 

991.  I.  virens  (L.).    YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT.    Olive  green; 
throat  and  breast  bright  yeUow  ;  belly  abruptly  white  ;  lores  black  ; 
a  white   superciliary  line  ;    wings   and  tail  plain  ;    tarsus   almost 
booted.     L.  7J.     W.  3£.     T.  3£.     U.  S.,  southerly,   N.  to  Mass. 
and  Wis.  ;  a  loud,  quaint  songster. 

517.  SYLVANIA  Nuttall.     (Lat.,  sylvan.) 
a.  Tail  feathers  blotched  with  white;  no  wing  bars. 

992.  S.  mitrata  (Gmelin),    HOODED  WARBLER.    Bright  yellow 
olive;  breast,  crown,  and  neck  all  around  jet  black,  enclosing  a 
broad  golden  mask  ;  under  parts  from  the  breast  bright  yellow  ;    9 
olive  instead  of  black.     L.  5.    W.  2|.     T.  2J.    E.  U.  S.,  southerly, 
N.  to  L.  Erie  ;  a  singular  and  beautiful  species.     (Lat.,  mitred.) 
aa.  Tail  feathers  plain  dusky;  no  wing  bars. 

993.  S.  pusilla  (Wilson).     GREEN  BLACK-CAPPED  WARBLER. 
Clear  yellow  olive  ;  crown  glossy  black  ;   forehead,  lores,  sides  of 
head  and  entire  under  parts  bright  yellow;  9  with  less  black.     L. 
4|.     W.  2£.     T.  2J.     U.  S.     (Lat.,  weak.) 

994.  S.  canadensis  (L.).     CANADA  WARBLER.     Bluish  ash; 
crown  streaked  with  black  ;  under  parts  clear  yellow  ;  crissum  white  ; 
lores  black,  continuous  with  black  under  the  eye  ;  this  passing  as  a 
chain  of  black  streaks  down  the  side  of  the  neck  encircling  the 
breast  like  a  necklace  ;  a  yellow  superciliary  streak  ;  9  similar,  with 
less  black.     L.  5£.     W.  2f.     T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  to  the  Missouri, 
frequent;  one  of  the  handsomest  Warblers. 

518.  SETOPHAGA  Swainson.     (ays,  moth  ;  <£ayo?,  eating.) 

995.  S.  ruticilla  (L.).    AMERICAN  REDSTART.    Black;  sides 
of  breast  and  large  blotches  on  wings  and  tail  orange-red  ;   belly 
white,  reddish  tinged  ;  no  wing  bars  ;    9  olive,  marked  with  creamy 
yellow  instead  of  red.     L.  5£.     W.  2J.     T.  2£.     E.  N.  Am.,  very 
abundant  ;  a  handsome  and  active  fly-catcher. 

20 


306  AVES  :  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

FAMILY  CLXXIV.    MOTACILLID^B.     (THE  WAGTAILS.) 

Primaries  9,  the  first  about  as  long  as  second  j  inner  secondaries 
enlarged,  the  longest  one  about  as  long  as  the  primaries  in  the 
closed  wing.  Bill  shorter  than  the  head,  very  slender,  straight, 
acute,  notched  at  tip.  Feet  large,  fitted  for  walking ;  hind  claw 
long,  little  curved,  as  in  the  Larks ;  inner  toe  cleft ;  basal  joint  of 
outer  toe  united  with  middle  one ;  tarsus  as  in  Oscines  generally, 
ending  in  a  sharp,  undivided  ridge  behind.  Rictal  bristles  not 
conspicuous ;  nostrils  exposed. 

A  group  of  about  100  species,  mostly  of  the  Old  World.  Terres- 
trial birds,  with  the  habit  (shared  by  various  others)  of  moving  the 
tail  up  and  down,  as  if  "  balancing  themselves  on  unsteady  foot- 
ing ;  "  hence  the  name  "  Wagtail."  (Lat.,  motacilla,  wag-tail.) 
a.  Tail  shorter  than  wings,  its  feathers  tapering;  hind  claw  long  and  straight- 
ish ASTHUS,  519. 

519.  ANTHUS  Bechstein.     (avQos,  some  small  bird.) 
a.  Tarsus  longer  than  hind  toe  with  claw.    (Anthus.) 

996.  A.  pensilvanicus  (Latham).    BROWN  LARK.     TITLARK. 
PIPIT.     Dark  brown  above,  slightly  streaked ;  superciliary  line  and 
under  parts  buffy  ;  breast  and  sides  streaked  ;   outer  tail  feathers 
with  white.     L.  6£.     W.  3J.     T.  3.     N.  Am.,  not  rare. 

aa.  Tarsus  shorter  than  hind  toe  with  claw.    (Neocorys  Sclater.) 

997.  A.  spraguei  (Audubon).     MISSOURI  SKYLARK.     Buffy 
and  dusky  streaked.     W.  U.  S.,  E.  to  Minn.,  abundant  W. ;   its 
habits  similar  to  those  of  the  Skylark,  its  song  not  inferior.     (To 
Isaac  Sprague.) 

FAMILY  CLXXV.    TROGLODYTIDJE.     (THE  WRENS 
AND  MOCKING-BIRDS.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short,  hardly  spurious ;  wings  moderate  or 
long.  Bill  usually  more  or  less  slender,  with  or  without  a  notch 
near  the  tip ;  nostrils  not  covered  by  bristles.  Tarsus  scutellate, 
the  plates  usually  distinct. 

The  Mimince,  now  associated  with  the  wrens  by  the  A.  O.  U., 
are  in  many  respects  intermediate  between  wrens  and  thrushes. 
Their  reference  to  either  group  is  chiefly  a  matter  of  convenience. 
The  wrens  "  are  sprightly,  fearless  and  impudent  little  creatures, 
apt  to  show  bad  temper  when  they  fancy  themselves  aggrieved  by 
cats  or  people,  or  anything  else  that  is  big  or  unpleasant  to  them  ; 
they  quarrel  a  good  deal,  and  are  particularly  spiteful  towards 
martins  and  swallows,  whose  homes  they  often  invade  and  occupy. 
Their  song  is  bright  and  hearty,  and  they  are  fond  of  their  own 
music;  when  disturbed  at  it  they  make  a  great  ado  with  noisy 


TROGLODYTID.E.  —  CLXXV.  307 

scolding.  Part  of  them  (Cistothorus)  live  in  reedy  swamps  and 
marshes,  where  they  hang  astonishingly  big  globular  nests,  with  a 
little  hole  on  one  side,  on  tufts  of  rushes,  and  lay  six  or  eight  dark- 
colored  eggs ;  the  others  nest  anywhere."  (Cowes.)  To  the  Mi- 
mince  belongs  the  first  of  song-birds,  the  mocking-bird.  All  of  the 
Troglodytinas  and  Mimince  are  plainly  colored,  being  chiefly  brown. 
All  are  insectivorous,  and  most  of  them  migratory.  Genera  about 
23,  species  150,  most  abundant  in  tropical  America. 

a.  Bill  with  bristles  at  the  rictus;  inner  toe  free  to  the  base.    Mockers.    (Mi- 
mince.) 

b.  Tail  longer  than  wing. 
c.  Bill  shorter  than  middle  toe  without  claw ;  bill  notched  at  tip. 

d.  Tarsal  scutella  distinct;  (tail  with  white) MIMUS,  520. 

dd.  Tarsal  scutella  indistinct;  (tail  without  white). 

GALEOSCOPTES,  521. 
cc.  Bill  not  shorter  than  middle  toe  with  claw,  often  decurved;  bill 

scarcely  notched  at  tip HARPORHYNCHUS,  522. 

aa.  Bill  not  notched,  without  evident  bristles  at  the  rictus  ;  inner  toe  some- 
what joined  at  base  to  middle;  nostril  with  a  small  scale.     Wrens. 
(Troglodytince.) 
f.  Outer  tail  feathers  reaching  decidedly  beyond  tips  of  longest  lower 

coverts ;  (back  without  lengthwise  streaks). 
g.  Bill  rather  stout,  somewhat  decurved  at  tip ;  (back  without  cross-bars ; 

superciliary  streak  distinct) THRYOTHORUS,  523. 

gg.  Bill  more  slender,  straight  or  slightly  decurved ;  (back  with  cross-bars 
more  or  less  distinct;  no  distinct  superciliary  stripe). 

TROGLODYTES,  524. 

ff.  Outer  tail-feathers  reaching  little  beyond  tips  of  lower  coverts ;   (back 
streaked  lengthwise) CISTOTHORUS,  525. 

520.  MIMUS  Boie.     (Lat.,  mimic.) 

998.  M.   polyglottos    (L.).     MOCKING  -  BIRD.      Ashy  brown 
above,  nearly  white  below  ;  wings  blackish,  with  white  wing  bars ; 
tail  blackish,  outer  feathers  white  ;   9  "^h  IGSS  white.     L.  9^.    W. 
4£.     T.  5.     U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly  ;   N.  to  Mass.,  Iowa,  etc.     A 
famous  singer,  easily  first  among  birds  in  the  range  and  variety  of 
its  notes.     (VoXus,  many  ;  yXayrra,  tongue.) 

521.  GALEOSCOFTES  Cabanis.     (ya\rj,  weasel ;  O-ACCDTTTJ;^ 
mocker.) 

999.  G.    carolinensis   (L.).     CAT-BIRD.     Dark   slate  color; 
crown  and  tail  black;  crissum  chestnut.     L.  8|.     W.  3|.     T.  4. 
N.  Am.,  generally  common ;  a  fine  singer. 

522.  HARPORHYNCHUS  Cabanis.     (Spirrj,  sickle ;   pvyXos,    * 

bill,  true  of  the  typical  species.) 

a.  Tarsus  longer  than  bill ;  lower  parts  spotted  and  streaked.    (Methriopterus 
Reichenbach.) 

1000.  H.  rufus  (L.).     BROWN  THRUSH.     THRASHER.     Cinna- 


308  AVES  :  PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

mon  red  above ;  lower  parts  thickly  spotted ;  bill  nearly  straight, 
shorter  and  much  less  curved  than  in  the  other  Harporhynchi,  five 
species  of  which  occur  in  the  S.  W.  L.  11.  W.  4.  T.  5J.  B.  1. 
E.  U.  S.,  abundant.  A  brilliant  songster,  its  notes  similar  to  those 
of  the  mocking-bird,  but  softer  and  less  varied. 

523.  THRYOTHORUS  Vieillot.     (tipvov,  reed  ;  Bovpos,  leaping.) 

a.  Tail  not  longer  than  wings,  its  feathers  all  brown  with  fine  black  bars. 
(Thryothorus.) 

1001.  T.  ludovicianus  (Gmelin).    CAROLINA  WREX.     MOCK- 
ING WREN.     Clear  reddish  brown,  brightest  on  rump  ;  pale  buffy 
below;  wings  barred;  a  pale  superciliary  stripe.     L.  6.     W.  2^. 
T.  2£.     E.  U.  S.,  southerly,  N.  to  Penn;    a  remarkable  singer. 
(Lat.,  of  Louisiana.) 

aa.   Tail  longer  than  wings,  its  feathers  mostly  blackish,  the  middle  ones 
grayish,  barred.     ( Thryomanes  Sclater.) 

1002.  T.  bewickii  (Audubon).     Umber  brown  above;  brownish 
white  below ;  white  streak  above  eye  and  on  neck.     L.  5^.     W.  2£. 
T.  2J.     S.  U.  S.,  N.  to  Penn.  and  Minn.     (To  Thos.  Bewick.) 

524.  TROGLODYTES  Vieillot.     (lyxoyXo&uTTjy,  cave-dweller.) 
a.  Tail  more  than  f  wing.     (Troglodytes.) 

1003.  T.  aedon  Vieillot.     HOUSE  WREN.    Brown,  brightest  be- 
hind ;  rusty  below  ;  everywhere  above  and  behind  barred  or  waved 
with  darker,  distinctly  so  on  wings,  tail,  and  crissum.    L.  5.    W.  2. 
T.   2.     E.    U.  S.,  abundant ;    an  active  and  familiar  little  bird. 
(0778001',  a  singer.) 

aa.  Tail  very  short,  less  than  f  wing.     (Anorthura  Rennie.) 

1004.  T.  hiemalis  Vieillot.     WINTER  WREN.     Deep  reddish- 
brown,  waved  with  dusky ;  wings,  tail,  and  belly  posteriorly  sharply 
barred.     L.  4.     W.  If.     T.  1J.     N.  Am.,  U.  S.  in  winter,  common 
N. ;  a  fine  singer.     (Lat.,  wintry.) 

525.  CISTOTHORUS  Cabanis.     (KIOTO?,  a  shrub,  rock-rose; 

Govpos,  leaping.) 
a.  Bill  about  half  as  long  as  head;  no  white  superciliary  line.  (Cistothorus.) 

1005.  C.  stellaris  (Lichtenstein).    SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 
Dark  brown,  head  and  back  darker  ;  entire  upper  parts  with  white 
streaks;  lower  parts  buffy.     L.  4£.     W.  If.     T.  If.     E.  U.  S.,  in 
marshes  ;  rather  rare.     (Lat.,  starry.) 

aa.  Bill  slender,  about  as  long  as  head;  a  conspicuous  white  superciliary  line. 
(Telmatodytes  Cab.) 

1006.  C.  palustris  (Wilson).     LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 
Clear  brown  ;  back  with  a  black  patch  containing  white  streaks  ; 
otherwise  unstreaked  above  ;  crown  blackish  ;  lower  parts  brownish 
white.     L.  5.     W.  '2.     T.  If.     U.  S.,  abundant  in  reedy  swamps. 


CERTHIHLE. —  CLXXVI.  309 

FAMILY  CLXXVI.    CERTHIID^.     (THE  CREEPERS.) 

Primaries  10,  first  less  than  half  second.  Bill  slender,  as  long  as 
head,  without  notch  or  bristles.  Tarsus  scutellate,  shorter  than 
middle  toe.  Claws  all  very  long,  curved  and  compressed.  Wings 
about  as  long  as  tail ;  tail  feathers  pointed,  with  stiffened  shafts, 
somewhat  like  the  tail  of  a  wood-pecker,  and  similarly  used  for  sup- 
port. Genera  5;  species  about  12,  widely  distributed.  Habits 
similar  to  those  of  the  Nuthatches,  but  the  voice  different,  being 
small  and  fine.  (The  above  diagnosis  applies  rather  to  the  sub- 
family, Certhiince.') 

a.  Bill  decurved,  about  as  long  as  head CERTHIA,  526. 

526.  CERTHIA  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  a  creeper.) 

1007.  C.   familiaris   L.     BROWN    CREEPER.     Plumage    dark 
brown,  above  much  barred  and  streaked  with  whitish  ;  pale  below ; 
rump  clear  tawny.     L.  5^.     W.  2f .     T.  2|>     N.  Am.     A  curious 
little  bird.     The  E.  American  form  (white  below)  is  var.  americana 
(Bonap.).     (£?tt.) 

FAMILY  CLXXVII.     PARID^J.     (THE  NUTHATCHES  AND 

TITMICE.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short.  Bill  not  notched  nor  decurved ; 
loral  feathers  bristly ;  nostrils  concealed  by  dense  tufts.  Tarsus 
scutellate;  plumage  more  or  less  lax,  subject  to  few  variations. 
Small  birds,  apparently  allied  to  the  jays  on  the  one  hand  and  to 
the  wrens  and  thrushes  on  the  other.  Species  100  or  more,  in 
most  parts  of  the  world  ;  insectivorous  and  usually  not  migratory. 

a.  Bill  slender,  as  long  as  head ;  hind  toe  longer  than  middle  toe;  tail  much 

shorter  than  wing.    (Sittince.)  ' SITTA,  527. 

act.  Bill  stoutish,  much  shorter  than  head;  hind  toe  shorter  than  middle;  tail 
not  shorter  than  wing.    (Parince.) PARUS,  528. 

527.  SITTA  LinnaBus.     (atrra,  nuthatch.) 

1008.  S.  carolinensis  Latham.    WHITE-BELLIED  NUTHATCH. 
"SAP-SUCKER."     Ashy  blue   above,   white  below;   crissum  with 
rusty  brown  ;  crown  and  nape  black,  unstriped ;  middle  tail  feathers 
like  the  back,  others  black,  blotched  with  white ;   9  with  IGSS  <>r  no 
black  on   the  head.     L.  5J.     W.  3£.      T.  2.      U.  S.,   abundant 
everywhere.     An  active,  nimble  little  bird,  running  up  and  down 
trees,  and  hanging  in  every  conceivable  attitude,  the  head  down  as 
often  as  up. 

1009.  S.  canadensia  L.    RED-BELLIED  NUTHATCH.    Ashy  blue, 
brighter  than   the  preceding,  rusty  brown   below ;   crown   glossy 
black  ( $ ),  or  bluish  (  9  ),  bordered  by  white  and  black  stripes. 
L.  4£.     W.  2f .     T.  1£.     N.  Am.,  chiefly  N. 


310  AVES:   PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

1010.  S.  pusilla  Latham.    BROWN-HEADED  NUTHATCH.    Ashy 
blue  ;  crown  clear  brown,  a  whitish  spot  on  nape ;  pale  rusty  below. 
L.  4.     W.  2J.     T.  If     S.  £.  U.  S.,  N.  to  Md.     (Lat.,  weak.) 

528.  PARUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  a  titmouse.) 
a.  Head  conspicuously  crested.    (Lophophanes  Kaup.) 

1011.  P.  bicolor  L.    TUFTED  TITMOUSE.    Grayish  ash,  the  fore- 
head alone  black ;  whitish  below ;  sides  washed  with  reddish.    L.  6^. 
W.  8J.     T.  3 J.     E.  U.  S.,  southerly,  N.  to  Mich. ;   abundant  in 
woodland  and  remarkable  for  its  loud,  cheerful  whistle. 

aa.  Head  not  crested.    (Parus.) 

1012.  P.  carolinensis  Audubon.    SOUTHERN  CHICKADEE.   Sim- 
ilar to  the  next ;  tertials  and  greater  wing  coverts  without  whitish 
edgings ;  smaller ;  tail  shorter.     L.  4^.    W.  2^.     T.  2^.    Southern, 
N.  to  S.  Pa.  and  Ind. ;  often  regarded  as  a  winter  resident  variety 
of  the  next. 

1013.  P.  atricapillus  L.    TITMOUSE.    BLACK-CAPPED  CHICKA- 
DEE.    Grayish  ash ;  wings  and  tail  plain,  with  whitish  edgings  ; 
crown,  nape,  chin,  and  throat  black ;  cheeks  white ;  no  white  super- 
ciliary line.     L.  5.     W.  2£.     T.  2J.     N.  Am.,  S.  to  Ind.  and  Va., 
abundant ;  represented  N.  W.  by  var.  septentrionalis  Harris ;  paler, 
with  tail  (2|)  longer  than  wings.     (Lat.,  black-haired.) 

1014.  P.  hudsoiiicus  Forster.     Olive  brown;  crown  browner; 
some  pale  chestnut  below ;  throat  black ;  a  white  stripe  through 
eye.     L.  5.     W.  2£.     T.  2f.     N.  N.  Am.,  S.  to  Mass. 

FAMILY  CLXXVIII.    SYLVIID^J.     (THE  OLD  WORLD 

WARBLERS.) 

Diminutive  Thrushes.  Primaries  10,  the  first  short.  Bill  slen- 
der, depressed  at  base,  notched  and  decurved  at  tip.  Rictus  with 
bristles  ;  nostrils  oval.  Tarsus  usually  booted,  scutellate  in  Poliop- 
tilince.  Basal  joint  of  middle  toe  attached  its  whole  length  exter- 
nally, half  way  internally.  A  large  family  of  nearly  600  species  of 
small  birds,  chiefly  of  the  Old  World,  where  they  fill  the  place  taken 
in  America  by  the  Mniotiltidce.  The  most  famous  of  the  group  is 
the  European  nightingale  (Luscinia  luscinia  L.). 
a.  Tarsus  booted;  nostril  with  one  or  more  minute  feathers;  wings  longer 

than  tail.    (Regulince.) REGULUS,  529. 

aa.  Tarsus  scutellate;  wings  not  longer  than  tail.    (Polioptilince.) 

POLIOPTILA,  530. 

529.  REGULUS  Cuvier.     (Lat.,  dim.  of  rex,  king  —  «  of 

the  wrens.") 
a.  Nostril  hidden  by  a  single  tiny  feather.    (Regulus.) 

1015.  R.  satrapa  Lichtenstein.     GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET. 
Olivaceous ;    crown   with   a   yellow   patch,  bordered   with   black, 


TURDID^.  —  CLXXIX.  311 

orange  red  in  the  centre  in  <£;  forehead  and  line  over  eye  whitish; 
a  vague  dusky  blotch  at  base  of  secondaries.    L.  4.    W.  2£.    T.  If. 
N.  Am. ;  not  rare.     (o-ar/jaTnys,  a  ruler.) 
a.  Nostril  with  a  tuft  of  small  bristle-like  feathers.  (Phyllobasikus  Cabanis.) 

1016.  R.  calendula  (L.).    RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET.     Oliva- 
ceous ;  crown  with  a  scarlet  patch  in  both  sexes,  wanting  the  first 
year;  no  black  about  head.     L.  4J.     W.  2J.     T.  If.     N.  Am., 
common.     (Lat.,  a  little  fire.) 

530.  POLIOPTILA  Sclater.     (iro\ios,  hoary  ;  TmAoi/,  feather.) 

1017.  P.  caerulea  (L.).    BLUE-GRAY  GNAT-CATCHER.    Clear 
ashy  blue,  brightest  on  head;  whitish  below  ;    $  with  forehead  and 
sides  of  crown  black ;  outer  tail  feathers  chiefly  white.  L.  4j.   W.  2. 
T.  2i.     U.  S.,  chiefly  southerly ;   N.  to  Mass,  and  L.  Mich.     A 
sprightly  little  bird  with  a  squeaky  voice,  but  really  a  fine  singer. 

FAMILY  CLXXIX.    TURDIDuE.1     (THE  THRUSHES.) 

Primaries  10,  the  first  short  or  spurious ;  bill  generally  rather 
long,  not  conical,  usually  with  a  slight  notch  near  the  tip ;  nostrils 
oval,  not  concealed,  but  nearly  or  quite  reached  by  the  bristly 
frontal  feathers ;  rictus  with  bristles,  which  are  well  developed  in 
most  of  our  species ;  tarsus  always  "  booted,"  t.  e.,  enveloped  in  a 
continuous  plate,  formed  by  the  fusion  of  all  the  scutella  except  2 
or  3  of  the  lowest.  Toes  deeply  cleft,  the  inner  one  free,  the  outer 
united  to  the  middle  one,  not  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  first 
basal  joint. 

A  large  family  of  about  300  species,  found  in  most  parts  of  the 
world,  and  embracing  quite  a  wide  variety  of  forms.  Nearly  all 
of  them  are  remarkable  for  their  vocal  powers.  Their  food  consists 
of  insects  and  soft  fruits. 

a.  Bill  short,  depressed,  notched  and  slightly  hooked  at  tip;  gonys  not  more 
than  3  the  commissure;  tail  about  as  long  as  wings.    (Myadestinos.) 

MYADESTES,  531. 
oca.  Bill  not  depressed  nor  hooked;   gonys  more  than  |  the  commissure. 

(Turdince.) 

b.  Wings  moderate;  (no  blue), 
c.  Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  nostrils  exposed;  nasal  fossae 

without  feathers;  bill  notched  near  its  tip;  sexes  similar. 
d.  Bill  much  widened  at  base ;  (breast  spotted).     .    .    .   TURDUS,  532. 
dd.  Bill  little  widened  at  base;  (breast  in  adult  unspotted). 

MERULA,  533. 

1  One  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  thrush-like  birds  is  the  Ouzel  or  Dipper 
(Cinclus  viexicanus  Swainson),  an  aquatic  thrush  which  swims  (or  rather  flies)  freely 
under  water,  although  not  web-footed.  It  is  a  fine  singer,  living  about  mountain 
torrents  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  regions ;  a  similar  species  ( C.  m&nUa)  occurs  in 
Europe.  They  are  now  placed  in  a  separate  family,  CiiwUcUe. 


312  AVES  :   PASSERES.  —  XLVI. 

cc.  Tarsus  not  longer  than  middle  toe  with  claw;  nostrils  partly  concealed 
by  feathers  in  the  nasal  fossae;  bill  not  notched;  sexes  unlike. 

HESPEROCICHLA,  534. 
bb.  Wings  long  and  pointed;  (plumage  partly  blue).    .    .     .     SIALIA,  535. 


531.  MYADESTES  Swainson.     (jma,  fly;  eoVarr;?,  eater.) 

1018.  M.  townsendi   (Audubon).     FLY-CATCHING    THRUSH. 
TOWNSEND'S  SOLITAIRE.     Ashy  gray,  paler  below  ;  wing  bands 
buff  y  ;  tail  blackish  ;  whitish  ring  about  eye  ;  young  with  reddish 
spots.     L.  8.     W.  4£.     T.  4£.     Rocky  Mountains  and  westward, 
straying  E.  to  111.     (Nelson.)     A  most  exquisite  songster.     (To 
J.  K.  Townsend.) 

532.  TURDUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  thrush.) 

a.  Wings  never  more  than  3$  times  tarsus;  plain  brownish  above;  spotted 

below.     Wood-thrushes.     (Hylocichla  Baird.) 
6.  Reddish  color  of  back  most  distinct  on  head. 

1019.  T.   mustelinus   Gmelin.     WOOD    THRUSH.     Cinnamon 
brown,  brightest  on  the  head,  shading  into  olive  on  the  rump  ; 
breast  with  large,  very  distinct  dusky  spots.     L.  8.     W.  4£.     T.  3. 
E.  U.  S.,  in  woodland  ;  our  largest  and  handsomest  wood  thrush. 
An  exquisite  songster.     (Lat.,  weasel-colored.) 

bb.  Reddish  color  of  back  equally  distinct  from  head  to  tail. 

1020.  T.   fuscescens  Stephens.    VEERY.     TAWNY  THRUSH. 
WILSON'S  THRUSH.     Uniform  reddish  brown  above  ;  breast  and 
throat  washed  with  brownish  or  pinkish  yellow,  and  marked  with 
small  indistinct  brownish  spots.     L.  7J.     W.  4J.     T.  3£.     E.  N. 
Am.,  in  damp  woods,  frequent  ;  a  fine  songster,  superior  to  the 
wood-thrush  in  its  range  of  notes.     The  Western  variety,  111.  to 
Rocky  Mts.,  var.  salicicolus  Ridgway,  is  russet  olive,  the  cheeks 
paler,  with  broader  markings.     (Lat.,  dusky.) 

bbb.  Back  entirely  olive,  with  no  reddish  shade  anywhere. 
c.  Sides  of  head  without  buffy  shades. 

1021.  T.aliciae  Baird.    GRAY-CHEEKED  THRUSH.    Very  similar 
to  the  next,  of  which  it  may  be  a  variety,  but  without  buffy  or 
whitish  ring  about  eye,  or  any  buffy  tint  about  head.     E.  NV  Am., 
ranging  more  northerly.     A  smaller  form,  with  slenderer  bill  is  var. 
bicknelli  Ridgway,  in  Catskills  and  N.     (To  Alice  Kennicott.) 

cc.  Sides  of  head  more  or  less  shaded  with  buffy. 

1022.  T.  ustulatus  Nuttall.    OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH.    Uniform 
olive  above  ;  breast  and  throat  thickly  marked  with  large,  dusky 
olive  spots  ;  breast  and  sides  of  head  strongly  buffy-tinted  ;  a  con- 
spicuous buffy  orbital  ring.     L.  7\.     W.  4.     T.  3.     N.  Am.     The 
Western  form  (var.  ustulatus)  is  russet  brown  above,  rather  than 
grayish  olive  as  in  the  Eastern  form,  which  is  var.  swainsoni  Ca- 
banis.     (Lat.,  scorched.) 


TURDID^E.  —  CLXXIX.  313 

bbbb.  Reddish  color  of  back  chiefly  confined  to  the  tail. 

1023.  T.  aonalaschkae   Gmelin.     HERMIT    THRUSH.     Olive 
brown  above,  becoming  rufous  on  rump  and  tail ;  breast  with  nu- 
merous, rather  distinct,  dusky  spots ;  a  whitish  orbital  ring.     L.  7. 
W.  3^.     T.  2^.     N.  Am.,  migrating  early;  a  sweet  singer.     The 
Eastern  bird,  var.  pallasi  Cabanis,  is  more  "  smoky  "  in  hue,  the 
tail  a  little  less  red,  the  bill  larger.     (From  Unalaska  Island.) 

533.  MERULA  Leach.     (Lat.,  merle  or  blackbird.) 

1024.  M.  migratoria  (L.).     ROBIN.    AMERICAN  RED  BREAST. 
Olive  gray  above  ;  head  and  tail  blackish  ;  throat  white,  with  black 
streaks  ;  under  parts  chestnut  brown.     L.  9|.     W.  5J.     T.  4£.     N. 
Am.,  everywhere  abundant ;  a  familiar,  easy-going  bird. 

534.  HESPEROCICHLA  Baird.     (eWepa,  sunset ; 

K/XAq,  thrush.) 

1025.  H.  naevia  (Gmelin).     OREGON  ROBIN.     Slate  color,  or- 
ange brown  below  ;  throat  not  streaked  ;    £  with  black  collar.     L. 
9|.    W.  5.    T.  4.    Pacific  slope,  rarely  straying  E.    (Lat.,  spotted.) 

535.  SIALIA  Swainson.     (cuaXfc,  name  of  some  bird  ; 
o-i'aAos,  plump.) 

1026.  S.  sialis  (L.).    COMMON  BLUE  BIRD.    Bright  blue  above, 
throat  and  breast  reddish  brown  ("  the  sky  on  its  back  and  the 
earth  on  its  breast  ")  ;  belly  white ;    9  usually  duller,  with  a  brown- 
ish tinge  on  back ;  young,  as  in  others,  spotted.     L.  6|.     W.  4. 
T.  3.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant;  breeds  everywhere;  one  of  our  most 
attractive  and  familiar  birds. 

1027.  S.  mexicana  Swainson.     WESTERN  BLUE  BIRD.     Head, 
neck  all  around  and  upper  parts  generally,  deep  bright  blue ;  back 
with  more  or  less  chestnut ;  breast  and  sides  reddish  brown,  throat 
bluish ;  size  of  last.     Pacific  slope,  rarely  E.  to  Iowa. 

1028.  S.   arctica   Swainson.     ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  BLUE  BIRD. 
Rich  greenish  blue  ;  breast  also  blue ;  belly  white ;    9    witn  Pale 
drab  instead  of  blue,  on   breast,  etc. ;  size  of  others,  or  smaller. 
Rocky  Mountains,  E.  to  Missouri  R. ;  the  prettiest  of  thrushes  and 
one  of  the  most  attractive  of  our  birds. 

With  this  beautiful  bird  we  close  the  long  series  of  feathered 
Sauropsida. 

The  next  class,  the  Mammalia,  is  widely  different  from  the  birds, 
but  its  lowest  forms,  the  Monotremes,  approach  the  common  rep- 
tilian stock  from  which  both  mammals  and  birds  have  probably 
sprung. 


314  MAMMALIA. 


CLASS  I.     MAMMALIA.    (THE  MAMMALS.) 


A  Mammal  is  a  warm-blooded,  air-breathing  vertebrate,  having 
the  skin  more  or  less  hairy  (or  rarely  naked)  ;  viviparous,  the  em- 
bryo developed  from  a  minute  egg  destitute  of  food-yolk  (except 
in  the  Monotremata,  in  which  group  the  eggs  are  large,  as  in  Rep- 
tiles, and  are  developed  outside  the  body)  ;  the  young  nourished  for 
a  time  after  birth  by  milk,  secreted  in  the.  mammary  glands  of  the 
mother ;  respiration  never  by  means  of  gills,  but  after  birth  by 
lungs,  suspended  freely  in  the  thoracic  cavity,  which  is  completely 
separated  from  the  abdominal  cavity  by  a  muscular  septum  (the 
diaphragm)  ;  heart  with  four  cavities ;  a  complete  double  circula- 
tion ;  blood  warm.  Skeleton  more  firm  than  in  other  Vertebrates, 
the  bones  containing  a  larger  proportion  of  salts  of  lime.  Skull 
articulating  with  the  atlas  by  means  of  two  occipital  condyles; 
bones  of  face  immovably  joined  by  sutures ;  each  half  of  lower  jaw 
of  a  single  bone,  articulating  directly  with  the  skull,  the  quadrate 
bone  becoming  one  of  the  bones  of  the  ear  (t^5»??rtfeu3b  Brain 
case  comparatively  large,  corresponding  with  the  increased  devel- 
opment of  the  brain.  The  numerous  other  peculiarities  of  the 
skeleton  and  the  viscera  need  not  be  noticed  in  this  connection. 

The  following  analysis  of  the  Orders  of  Mammals  which  occur 
within  our  limits  is  mostly  taken  from  Professor  Gill's  "  Arrange- 
ment of  the  Families  of  Mammals." 

Orders  of  Mammalia. 

a.  Young  developed  within  the  uterus  from  a  minute  egg  which  is  destitute 

of  food-yolk;  milk  glands  with  nipples ;  no  cloaca.    (EUTHEEIA.) 
b.  Young  born  when  of  very  small  size  and  incomplete  development,  never 
connected  by  a  placenta  to  the  mother;  brain  small,  its  corpus  callosum 
rudimentary.    (Subclass  DIDELPHIA.)    .    .      MARSUPIALIA,  XLVII. 
bb.  Young  not  born  until  of  considerable  size  and  nearly  perfect  develop- 
ment, deriving  its  nourishment,  before  birth,  from  the  mother  through 
the  intervention  of  a  placenta ;  a  well  developed  corpus  callosum. 
(Subclass  MONODELPHIA.) 

c.  Brain  with  a  relatively  small  cerebrum,  which  does  not  cover  the  other 
ganglia,  much  of  the  cerebellum  being  exposed  behind,  and  in  front 
much  of  the  optic  lobes.     (Ineducabilia.) 
d.  Canine  teeth  none ;  incisors  §,  rarely  f,  chisel-shaped ;  limbs  adapted 

for  walking GLIRES,  XLVJII. 

dd.  Canine  teeth  present,  in  some  form ;  incisors  not  |  nor  |. 


MAMMALIA.  315 

e.  Anterior  limbs  not  adapted  for  flight ;  ulna  and  radius  not  united ; 
hand  normal;  mammae  usually  abdominal. 

.  INSECTIVORA,  XLIX. 

ee.  Anterior  limbs  adapted  for  flight ;  ulna  and  radius  united ;  bones 
of  hand  and  fingers  much  elongated,  supporting  a  thin,  leathery- 
skin,  extending  along  sides  of  body  to  the  posterior  limbs ; 

mammae  pectoral CHIROPTERA,  L. 

cc.  Brain  with  a  relatively  large  cerebrum  overlapping  much,  or  all,  of 

the  cerebellum  and  optic  lobes.     (Educabilia.) 

f.  Posterior  limbs  absent,  the  pelvis  rudimentary;  anterior  limbs 

reduced  to  broad  flattened  paddles,  without  distinct  fingers  or 

claws;  no  clavicles;   tail  with  a  broad,  horizontally  placed 

caudal  fin;  cervical  vertebrae  more  or  less  grown  together; 

carnivorous CETE,  LI. 

ff.  Posterior  limbs  and  pelvis  well  developed;  anterior  limbs  with 

hoofs,  claws,  or  nails. 

y.  Femur  and  humerus  not  exserted  beyond  the  common  integu- 
ments of  the  body;  clavicles  more  or  less  rudimentary; 
mammae  abdominal  or  inguinal. 

h.  Feet  with  hoofs ;  molars  mostly  with  grinding  surfaces ;  in- 
cisors various;  no  tusks;  developed  toes,  1  to  4;  herbivor- 
ous  UNGULATA,  LII. 

hh.  Feet  with  developed  claws;  canines  specialized;  molars, 
one  or  more,  sectorial,  adapted  for  cutting;  incisors  |; 

carnivorous FERJE,  LIU. 

gg.  Femur  and  humerus  exserted ;  feet  with  distinct  toes  which 
are  provided  with  nails ;  clavicles  present ;  an  inner  digit 
of  hand  (thumb)  opposable  to  the  others ;  orbits  encircled 
by  bone  and  directed  forwards;  mammae  pectoral,  two  in 
number  (rarely  also  an  inguinal  pair).  PRIMATES,  LIV. 

ORDER  XL VII.    MARSUPIAL1A.     (THE  MARSUPIALS.) 

Young  developed  without  a  placenta,  and  born  at  a  very  early 
stage  and  incomplete  condition  of  development.  The  young  at 
birth  are  usually  placed  in  an  abdominal  pouch  formed  by  a  fold  of 
skin  about  the  milk  glands  of  the  mother,  where  they  remain  for  a 
considerable  time.  Reproductive  organs  in  both  sexes  of  peculiar 
structure,  nearly  all  the  parts  being  double  in  the  female.  Skele- 
ton showing  numerous  peculiarities,  the  teeth  usually  more  numer- 
ous than  in  the  higher  Mammals.  Brain  small,  the  corpus  callosum 
rudimentary.  Heart  with  two  vense  cavse.  This  large  group  is 
chiefly  confined  to  Australia.  It  represents  an  early  or  primitive 
type  of  Mammalia,  which  has  now  become  extinct  in  most  parts  of 
the  world.  The  single  non-Australian  family  approaches  most 
nearly  to  ordinary  Mammals.  (Lat.,  marsupium,  pouch.) 

Families  of  Marsupialia. 

a.  Tail  long,  prehensile,  nearly  naked;  feet  plantigrade,  5-toed,  the  first  toe 
thumb-like  and  without  claw;  teeth  50.       .     .     .     DIDELPHIDID.E,  180. 


316  MAMMALIA:   GLIRES.  —  XLVIII. 

FAMILY  CLXXX.    DIDELPHIDID^J.    (THE  OPOSSUMS.) 

Marsupial  mammals  of  small  size,  with  the  teeth  i.  f  I  f ,  c.  \'.\, 
pm.  f :  3,  m.  2  :  |.  Feet  five-toed,  plantigrade,  the  claws  5-4.  Tail 
usually  very  long,  prehensile,  nearly  naked,  covered  by  a  scaly  skin, 
with  a  few  scattered  hairs.  Genera  2,  species  about  15  ;  all  Ameri- 
can and  chiefly  belonging  to  the  tropics.  The  common  opossum 
is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  group.  All  are  sluggish  animals, 
arboreal  (Didelpki*)  or  aquatic  (Chironectes),  and  becoming  very 
fat.  They  feed  on  insects  and  other  small  animals, 
a.  Arboreal;  feet  not  webbed DIDELPHIS,  536. 

536.  DIDELPHIS  Linnaeus.     (8k,  two ;  df\<f>vs,  womb.) 
1029.     D.  virginiana  Shaw.     COMMON  OPOSSUM.     Soiled  yel- 
lowish, with  some  darker  hairs ;  ears  black,  leathery ;  legs  dark. 
L.  35.     T.  15.     N.  Y.  to  Cal.  and  S. ;  common. 

ORDER  XLVIII.    GLIRES.     (THE  RODENTS  OR  GNAWERS.) 

Mammals  with  the  incisor  teeth  -|  or  ^  in  number,  chisel-shaped, 
adapted  for  gnawing ;  no  canine  teeth,  a  toothless  space  in  the 
place  of  canines ;  molar  teeth  adapted  for  grinding ;  cerebrum 
small,  little  convoluted ;  intestinal  canal  elongate ;  ears  and  eyes 
usually  well  developed.  Food  chiefly  vegetable. 

The  Glires  or  Rodentla  is  the  largest  order  of  Mammals,  and  in 
individuals  by  far  more  numerous  than  any  other.  Most  of  the 
species  are  of  small  size,  the  Beaver  being  one  of  the  very  largest 
of  the  forms  now  living. 

"  Though  a  feeble  folk,  comparatively  insignificant  in  size  and 
strength,  they  hold  their  own  in  legions  against  a  host  of  natural 
enemies,  rapacious  beasts  and  birds,  by  their  fecundity,  their  wari- 
ness and  cunning,  their  timidity  and  agility,  their  secretiveness, 
each  after  the  means  by  which  it  is  provided  for  exercising  its  in- 
stinct of  self-preservation,  among  which  insignificance  itself  is  no 
small  factor."  (Coues.)  (Lat.,  glis,  dormouse  ;  the  Linnrean  name 
Glires  is  much  older  than  Cuvier's  Rodentia.) 

Families  of  Glires. 

a.  Incisors  f,  the  median  upper  incisors  large,  vertically  grooved,  the  outer 
small;  teeth  28;  tail  very  short;  ears  long;  fibula  united  with  the  heel- 
bone LEPORID^E,  181. 

aa.  Incisors  f  ;  tail  well  developed. 
b.  Fur  with  stiff  spine-like  bristles;  tibia  and  fibula  separate. 

HYSTRICID^E,  182. 

bb.  Fur  more  or  less  soft,  without  spines. 
c.  Tibia  and  fibula  united  below. 

d.  Tail  and  hind  legs  excessively  elongated,  the  latter  adapted  for 
leaping;  molars  |  on  each  side ZAPODID^E,  183. 


LEPORIIXE.  —  CLXXXI.  317 

dd.  Tail  and  hind-legs  not  excessively  elongated. 

e.  Limbs  very  short,   subequal,   adapted   for  digging;   fore-claws 

much  enlarged;   large,  external  cheek-pouches;  body  thick-set 

and  heavy;  molars  £-  on  each  side.        .    .     .    GEOMYID^E,  184. 

ee.  Limbs  moderate,  not  as  above;  cheek-pouches  usually  absent; 

molars  §  to  §  on  each  side MUKID^;,  185. 

cc.  Tibia  and  fibula  separate. 

f.  Tail   broad,  flat,  and  scaly;   feet  webbed;    molars  |  on  each 

side;  body  robust CASTOBID^E,  18ti. 

ff.  Tail  with  fur  ;  feet  not  webbed ;  molars  \  or  £  on  each  side. 

SCIUKID.dC,    187. 

FAMILY  CLXXXI.     LEPORIDJE      (THE  HARES.) 

Incisors  |,  the  extra  pair  in  upper  jaw  small,  and  placed  behind 
the  principal  pair,  which  are  grooved  in  front ;  molars  |:| ;  the 
teeth  28  in  all ;  tail  short,  bushy,  recurved ;  eyes  large ;  ears  long ; 
soles  furred.  A  single  genus  widely  distributed,  with  about  30 
species,  among  them  the  familiar  Rabbit  (Lepus  cuniculus  L.)  of 
Europe,  and  several  native  species  commonly  called  rabbits,  but 
more  properly  hares. 

537.  LEPUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  a  hare.) 

a.  Postorbital  processes  united  with  the  skull ;   hind  feet  short ;   fur  never 
white. 

1030.  L.  palustris  Bachman.     MARSH  HARE.     Width  of  skull 
half  its  length.    Yellowish  brown ;  tail  grayish,  not  cottony.    L.  1 7. 
T.  1.     Ear  2£.     N.  C.  to  S.  111.  and  S.,  in  swamps. 

1031.  L.  aquaticus  Bachman.    WATER  HARE.    Width  of  skull 
not  half  its  length.     Yellowish  brown,  white  below ;    tail  white 
below,  as  in  L.  sylvaticus.     L.  22.    T.  2.    Ear  3.    S.  111.  to  La.  and 
S.  W.,  in  canebrakes  and  about  lowland  streams. 

aa.  Postorbital  processes  united  with  the  skull. 
b.  Fur  never  white;  hind  feet  not  longer  than  head. 

1032.  L.  sylvaticus  Bachman.    GRAY  RABBIT.    COTTON-TAIL. 

Tail  cottony-white ;  ears  two-thirds  length  of  head.     Gray  above, 
varied  with  black,  and  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish  brown ; 
below  white.     L.   18.     T.   2.     Ear  2£.     U.  S.,  rather  S.,  N.  to 
Mass.;  very  abundant. 
bb.  Fur  becoming  more  or  less  white  in  winter;  hind  feet  longer  than  head. 

1033.  L.  americanus  Erxleben.    WHITE  RABBIT.    NORTHERN 
HARE.     Ears  about  as  long  as  head;   fur,  in  summer,  cinnamon 
brown,  in  winter,  becoming  white  at  the  surface,  plumbeous  at 
base,   with   a  median  band  of   reddish  brown.     L.  20.     T.  2J. 
Ear  3.     Wooded  districts,  New  England  to  Minn.,  and  S.  to  Va., 
along  the  Alleghanies.     The  Eastern  form  var.  virginianus  Harlan, 


318  MAMMALIA:   GLIRES.  —  XL VIII. 

has  median  brown  band  on  fur  broad.  Further  N".  (Hudson's 
Bay)  occurs  the  European  Hare,  L.  timidus  L.,  a  similar  but 
larger  animal. 

1034.  L.   campestris   Bachman.      JACK-RABBIT.      PRAIRIE 
HARE.     Ears  much  longer  than  head.     Fur  pale  yellowish  gray 
in  summer,  in  winter  white   at   surface  and  base,  yellowish  in 
middle ;  tail  long,  all  white.     L.  23.     T.  3}.     Ear  5.     Kan.  and 
Dakota,  to  Oregon.     (Lat.,  of  the  fields.) 

FAMILY  CLXXXII.  HYSTRICID^EJ.     (THE  PORCUPINES.) 

Molar  teeth  %  on  each  side ;  fur  more  or  less  mixed  with  bristly 
spines ;  tip  of  muzzle  with  small  hairs ;  tibia  and  fibula  distinct. 
Genera  6  ;  species  about  50,  largely  American.  The  American 
forms  (Syenethermce)  differ  in  many  respects  from  the  Old  World 
allies  of  the  European  Porcupine  (Hystrix  cristata  L.).  The 
former  are  chiefly  arboreal,  and  most  of  them  have  the  tail  pre- 
hensile. Allied  to  this  family  is  the  South  American  group  of 
CaviidcB,  represented  by  the  Guinea  (Guiana)  Pig.  (Cavia  aperea). 
(Lat.  hystrix,  porcupine). 

a.   Tail  short,   thick,   not    prehensile;    claws    4—5,    long,   compressed,   and 
curved;  nostrils  close  together ERETHIZON,  538. 

538.  ERETHIZON  Frederic  Cuvier.     (IptBifa  to  irritate.) 

1035.  B.  dorsatus  (L.)     CANADA  PORCUPINE.     Dark  brown, 
spines  tipped  with  yellowish  white,  and  4  to  6  inches  long.     L.  40. 
T.  6.     N.  Am.,  from  Me.  to  Mexico,  formerly  common.     (Lat., 
dorsum,  back.) 

FAMILY  CLXXXIII.    ZAPODID^B.    (THE  JUMPING  MICE.) 

Hind  legs  greatly  elongated,  adapted  for  taking  long  leaps  ;  fore 
legs  short.  Tail  very  long.  Molars  £|- ;  upper  incisors  com- 
pressed, grooved ;  molars  rooted ;  cheek  pouches  present ;  toes 
5-5 ;  tibia  and  fibula  united.  A  single  species,  North  American. 

539.  ZAPTTS  Coues.     (£a,  an  intensive  particle  ;  irovs,  foot.) 

1036.  Z.  hudsonius  (Zimmermann).     JUMPING  MOUSE.     Yel- 
lowish brown ;  fur  coarse  and  rough ;  soles  naked.     L.  8.  T.  5. 
Ear  £.     U.  S.  chiefly  N.,  scarce ;  variable. 

FAMILY  CLXXXIV.    GEOMYIDJE.    (THE  POUCHED 
GOPHERS.) 

Cheek  pouches  large  and  distinct,  opening  outside  of  the  mouth. 
Molars  |-| ;  incisors  large  and  thick  ;  skull  heavy ;  temporal  bones 
enormously  developed.  Limbs  about  equal,  the  fore  claws  five  in 
number,  very  large ;  tibia  and  fibula  united.  Body  thick-set  and 
clumsy.  Genera  2,  species  7;  all  North  American,  and  chiefly 


MURID^E.  —  CLXXX  V.  319 

inhabiting  the  central  plains ;  habits  nocturnal  and  subterranean. 
Farther  west  occur  numerous  species  of  Saccomyidce  or  Pocket- 
Mice,  smaller  than  the  Gophers,  and  with  thin  and  papery  skulls. 

a.  Upper  incisors,  each  with  a  large  groove  near  the  middle ;  ears  rudi- 
mentary; fore  claws  enormous GEOMYS,  540. 

aa.  Upper  incisors  not  grooved;  ears  distinct  but  very  small ;  claws  moderate. 

THOMOMYS,  541. 

540.  GEOMYS  Rafinesque.     (717,  earth  ;  jxvy,  mouse.) 

1037.  G.  bursarius  (Shaw.)    POCKET  GOPHER.    Reddish  brown, 
with  plumbeous  tinge  ;  upper  incisors  with  two  grooves,  the  larger 
near  the  middle  line ;  tail  and  feet  hairy.    L.  11.     T.  3.     Prairies, 
Wis.,  111.,  and  W.  to  Rocky  Mts.     (Lat.,  pouched.) 

541.  THOMOMYS  Maximilian.     (0ayios,  heap  ;  /*Cs,  mouse.) 

1038.  T.  talpoides  (Richardson).     NORTHERN  POCKET   GO- 
PHER.     Dusky  plumbeous ;    tail,  feet  and  breast  mostly  white  ; 
ears  in  a  dusky  area.     L.  9^.     T.  2^.     Minn,  to  Utah  and  N.  W. 
(Lat.,  like  a  mole.) 

FAMILY  CLXXXV.    MURID^J.     (THE  MICE.) 

Incisors  f ;  molars  usually  f :f ;  anteorbital  foramen  a  vertical 
slit,  widening  above  and  bounded  externally  by  a  broad  plate  of 
the  upper  maxillary ;  coronoid  and  condyloid  processes  of  lower 
jaw  well  developed.  Tibia  and  fibula  united  below.  Genera  35  ; 
species  300.  A  large  family,  found  in  all  parts  of  the  globe,  some 
of  the  species  (Afws)  being  cosmopolitan,  having  accompanied  man 
in  all  his  migrations ;  all  are  of  small  size,  the  muskrat  being  one 
of  the  largest,  and  some  are  smaller  than  any  other  quadrupeds, 
except  the  Shrews.  About  one-third  of  the  species  belong  to  the 
the  Old  World  genus,  Mus. 

a.  Incisors  broad,  often  broader  than  deep ;  molars  rootless  (except  in  Evo- 
tomys)  with  flat  crown  and  serrate  margin;  (body  heavy,  eyes  small, 
snout  blunt,  legs  short,  ears  small).  (Arvicolince.) 

b.  Tail  flattened,  scant-haired ;  hind  feet  partly  webbed.  .    .    FIBER,  542. 
bb.  Tail  subterete. 

c.  Upper  incisors  grooved;  ears  large SYNAPTOMYS,  543. 

cc.  Upper  incisors  not  grooved. 

d.  Molars  rootless ;  ears  concealed ;  coronoid  process  of  lower  jaw  reach- 
ing level  of  condyle AKVICOLA,  544. 

dd.  Molars  with  roots;  ears  overtopping  the  fur;  coronoid  process  of 

lower  jaw  not  reaching  level  of  condyle.     .     .    EVOTOMYS,  545. 

aa.  Incisors  narrow,  compressed ;  molars  rooted,  tuberculate,  with  crenate 

margin;  (body  slender;  eyes  and  ears  large;  snout  pointed;  motions 

rapid).     (Murince.) 

e.  Molars  of  upper  jaw  with  tubercles  in  two  series  ;  palate  ending  opposite 
last  molar.    (American  species.) 


320  MAMMALIA:   GLIRES.  —  XLVIII. 

/.  Mouse-like;  length  with  tail  4  to  8  inches. 

g.  Upper  incisors  grooved  .........     OCHETODON,  546. 

gg.  Upper  incisors  not  grooved;  ears  very  large.      .      CALOMYS,  547. 
ff.    Rat-like;  length,  with  tail,  a  foot  or  more.  .    .     .    NEOTOMA,  548. 

ee.  [Molars  of  upper  jaw  with  tubercles  in  three  series;  soles  naked;  tail 
long,  scant-haired  or  scaly.     (Introduced  species).]   ....    Mus. 

542.  FIBER  Cuvier.     (Lat.,  beaver.) 

1039.  F.  zibethicus  (L.).  MUSKRAT.  Color  dark  brown.  L. 
22^.  T.  11.  N.  Am.  ;  everywhere.  Largest  of  our  Muridce  ;  build- 
ing houses  or  burrows  about  streams  and  ponds.  (Lat.,  zibetha,  the 
Civet,  from  the  odor.) 


543.  S  YNAPTOMYS  Baird.    (awaiTTa,  to  join  ;  p.vs,  mouse.) 

1040.  S.  cooperi  Baird.    LEMMING  MOUSE.    Mouse-color,  gray- 
ish below  ;  head  very  large  with  long  whiskers  ;  fur  soft  and  long. 
L.  4|.      T.  f  .     Indiana  (Brookville,   Nashville)  to  Oregon   and 
Alaska,  a  remarkable  animal,  between  the  field-mice  and  the  lem- 
mings (Myodes).     (To  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper.) 

544.  ARVICOLA  Lacepede.     FIELD  MICE.     (Lat.,  arvum, 

field;  Colo,  I  inhabit.) 

a.  Posterior  upper  molar  with  one  exterior  triangle  and  a  posterior  trefoil; 
middle  upper  molar  with  one  internal  triangle  ;  front  lower  molar  with 
two  internal  and  one  external  triangle. 

b.  Fore  claws  larger  than  hinder;  fur  dense,  silky,  mole-like;  size  small. 
(Pitymys  McMurtrie.) 

1041.  A.  pinetorum  Le  Conte.    PINE  MOUSE.    Chestnut  color, 
ashy  below.     L.  4f  .     T.  f     1ST.  Y.  to  111.  and  S.     (Lat.,  of  the 
pines.) 

bb.  Fore  claws  not  larger  than  hinder;  fur  coarse,  not  glossy;  size  medium. 
(Pedomys  Baird.) 

1042.  A.  austerus  Le  Conte.     Grizzly  brownish,  rusty  plumbe- 
ous below.     L.  5^.     T.  1.     Mich,  to  Dak.  and  La.     (Lat.,  harsh.) 
aa.  Posterior  upper  molar  with  two  external  triangles  and  a  posterior  cres- 

cent; middle  upper  molar  with  two  internal  triangles;  front  lower 
molar  with  three  internal  and  two  or  three  lateral  triangles;  size  large. 
(Mynomes  Rafinesque.) 

1043.  A.    pennsylvanicus    Ord.     MEADOW    MOUSE.      Fore 
claws    not    longer    than    hind    claws.      Grayish   brown,   blackish 
mesially,  hoary  below.      L.  5^.     T.  Ij.      U.  S.,    generally  abun- 
dant ;  variable.     (  A  .  riparius  Ord,  a  later  name.) 

545.  EVOTOMYS  Coues.     (*£,  well  ;    ovs,  ear;  pvs,  mouse.) 

1044.  E.  rutilus  (Pallas).     LONG-EARED  MOUSE.     Color  chest- 
nut,   median  line   of  back   rusty-red;    sides  yellowish,  belly  dull 
white;  fur  full  and  soft;  ears  prominent.     L.  4^.     T.  1|-.     North- 


MURHLE.  —  CLXXXV. 

ern  regions.  Var.  gapperi  Vigors,  a  little  darker,  with  longer  feet 
and  tail,  ranges  S.  to  Mass. ;  the  typical  form  circuinpolar.  (Eu.) 
(Lat.,  red-haired.) 

546.  OCHETODON  Coues.     (o^ercs,  channel ;  6da>v,  tooth.) 

1045.  O.  humilis  (Audubon  &  Bachman.)     HARVEST  MOUSE. 
Mouse-color,  the  fur  soft  and  silky ;  whitish  below.      L.  4J.     T.  2. 
Smallest  of  our  mice.     S.  C.  to  Iowa,  Utah  and  S.    (Lat.,  humble.) 

547.  CALOMYS  Waterhouse  (1837).  (Hesperomys  Water- 
house  1839).  WHITE-FOOTED  MICE.  {na\6s,  beautiful;  pvs, 
mouse.) 

a.  Tail  very  long,  scant-haired,  about  as^long  as  head  and  body ;  ears  rather 
small,  closely  hairy.  (Oryzomys  Baird.) 

1046.  C.   palustris  (Harlan).     RICE-FIELD  MOUSE.     Blackish 
and  ashy  above,  becoming  paler  below ;  fur  harsh,  but  compact ; 
soles  perfectly  naked;  a  large,  rat-like  species.     L.  8.    T.  4.    N.  J. 
to  Kan.  and  S. 

aa.  Tail  rather  long,  closely  hairy,  about  as  long  as  head  and  body;  ears 
large,  rounded,  scant-haired;  feet  and  under  parts  white.  (Musculus 
Rafinesque.) 

1047.  C.  michiganensis  (Audubon   &  Bachman.)      Yellowish 
brown,  a  sooty  dorsal  band ;  belly  white ;  feet  not  quite  white ; 
tail  bicolor;  hind  feet  less  than  ^  inch.     L.  4£.     T.  1^.     Mich,  to 
111.  and  Kan. 

1048.  C.  aureolus  (Audubon  &  Bachman.)  RED  MOUSE.   Golden 
cinnamon,  especially  bright  on  ears;   belly  not  pure  white;  tail 
unicolor.     L.  6.     T.  2£.     Pa.  to  111.  and  S.     (Lat.,  golden.) 

1049.  C.  americanus  (Kerr).    COMMON  WHITE-FOOTED  MOUSE. 
DORMOUSE.     Yellowish  brown,  grayish  or  fawn  color;  belly  and 
feet  pure  white ;  tail  distinctly  bicolor ;  hind  feet  more  than  f  inch. 
L.   6£.     T.  3J.     N.  Am.;    abundant  everywhere.      {Hesperomys 
leucopus  Raf.) 

aaa.  Tail  very  short,  closely  hairy,  not  much  longer  than  head.  (Onychomys 
Baird.) 

1050.  C.  leucogaster  (Maximilian).     Mouse  color,  snow-white 
below;    ears  high,  furred.      L.  5^.     T.   1^.     Minn,   to  Kas.  and 
Montana.     (AeuKo's,  white ;  -yaor^p,  belly.) 

548.  NEOTOMAi  Say  &  Ord.     (i/e'os,  new;  TOGO'S,  cutting, 
i.  e.,  rodent). 

1051.  N.  floridana  Say  &  Ord.     WOOD  RAT.     Brownish  gray  ; 
the  sides  tawny ;  belly  and  feet  all  white ;  tail  scantily  hairy.     L. 
13.     T.  5.     S.  K  Y.  to  Col.,  Ariz.,  and  S. 

1  Allied  to  Neotoma  is  the  familiar  Old  World  genus  : 

Mus  Linnaeus.    (M.U?,  mouse.) 

M.  decumanus  Pallas.     Brown  Bat.    Wharf  Rat.    Tail  nearly  an  inch  shorter  than 
head  and  body ;  grayish  brown  above ;  paler  below  j  feet  dusky  white ;  fur  mixed 

21 


322  MAMMALIA  :   GLIRES.  —  XLVIII. 

FAMILY  CLXXXVI.     CASTORID^E.     (THE  BEAVERS.) 

Aquatic  rodents  of  large  size,  having  the  molars  rootless,  £:f ; 
feet  four-toed,  the  hind  feet  webbed ;  body  stout  and  heavy ;  tail 
broad,  flat  and  scaly;  tibia  and  fibula  distinct;  no  postorbital 
process.  A  single  species  now  living,  belonging  to  the  northern 
hemisphere. 

549.  CASTOR  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  the  Beaver.) 

1052.  C.  fiber  L.  BEAVER.  Reddish  brown,  grayish  below. 
L.  40.  T.  10.  Weight  45  to  60  Ibs.  Northern  regions,  S.  to 
Mexico ;  once  abundant,  now  Joeing  rapidly  exterminated.  (Eu.~) 
(Lat.,  the  beaver  or  badger.) 

FAMILY  CLXXXVII.     SCIURID^3.     (THE  SQUIRRELS.) 

Molars  rooted,  £:|-  (upper  anterior  often  deciduous),  the  last  4 
of  nearly  equal  size  ;  a  distinct  postorbital  process  of  frontal  bone  ; 
tibia  and  fibula  distinct.  Species  of  rather  small  size,  in  all  parts 
of  the  world  except  Australia.  Genera  about  12,  species  150.  The 
variations  in  color,  etc.,  are  extremely  great,  and  the  number  of 
well  defined  species  is  very  much  less  than  was  once  supposed. 

a.  Sides  without  membrane  for  "  flying." 

b.  Upper  outline  of  skull  Hearty  straight;  frontal  region  depressed;  cheek 
pouches  rudimentary;  thumb  with  a  broad  flat  nail;  tail  short,  bushy; 
ears  small ;  fur  coarse,  heavy ;  body  stout,  clumsy.      ARCTOMYS,  550. 
bb.  Upper  outline  of  skull  more  or  less  convex.  . 
c.  Cheek  pouches  present;  tail  moderate. 

d.  Skull  strong  and  massive;  ears  rudimentary;  thumb  with  well  de- 
veloped nail ;  body  heavy,  thickset CYNOMYS,  551 . 

dd.  Skull  comparatively  thin. 
e.  Thumb  with  rudimentary  nail ;  (other  characters  drawn  from  the 

skull).     . SPERMOPHILUS,  552. 

ee.  Thumb  with  well  developed  nail;  skull  narrowed  anteriorly. 

TAMIAS,  553. 

cc.  Cheek  pouches  wanting ;  tail  very  long  and  bushy,  the  hairs  mostly 
on  its  sides;  skull  short,  broad  and  rounded;  thumb  nail  rudimen- 
tary; eyes  well  developed SCIURUS,  554. 

aa.  Sides  with  a  densely  furred  lateral  membrane  joining  the  anterior  and 
posterior  limbs ;  body  and  tail  depressed ;  no  cheek-pouches ;  ears  large ; 
molars  subequal  in  size SCIUROPTERUS,  555. 

with  stiff  hairs;  cosmopolitan  ;  introduced  into  America  about  1775,  and  now  the 
commonest  species,  having  nearly  exterminated  the  next.  (Lat.,  the  tenth. ) 

M.  rattus  L.  Black  Rat.  Tail  not  shorter  than  head  and  body  ;  sooty  black, 
plumbeous  below  ;  feet  brown  ;  introduced  about  1544,  but  now  supplanted  by  the 
preceding. 

M.  alexandrinus  Geoffrey  St.  Hilaire.  Roof  Rat.  White-bellied  Rat.  Introduced 
in  the  Southern  States.  (From  Alexandria  in  Egypt.) 

M.  musculus  L.  Common  House  Mouse.  Cosmopolitan  ;  too  well  known.  (Lat., 
a  little  mouse.) 


SCIURHLE.  —  CLXXXVII.  323 

550.  ARCTOMYS  Schreber.    MARMOTS,     (apicros,  bear  ;  /zCr, 
mouse.) 

1053.  A.  monax  (L.).    WOODCHUCK.    GROUND  HOG.    Grizzly 
gray,  varying  to  chestnut  and  blackish.      L.  18.      T.  5.      Hudson's 
Bay  to  Va.,  W.  to  Neb. ;  common.     (Lat.,  solitary.) 

551.  CYNOMYS  Kafinesque.     (xiW,  dog  ;  pvs,  mouse.) 

1054.  C.  ludovicianus  (Ord).    MISSOURI  PRAIRIE  DOG.    Red- 
dish brown,  varied  with  darker  and  gray;  tawny  below.     L.  16^. 
T.  3|.    Kas.  to  Montana,  E.  of  Rocky  Mts.,  living  in  large  colonies. 
(Lat.,  of  Louisiana.) 

552.  SFERMOFHILUS  Cuvier.     (o-rrcppa,  seed ;  <£tXos-,  loving.) 

a.  Skull  very  long  and  narrow,  the  snout  broad  and  very  long;  tail  long;  ear 
small.     (Ictidomys  Allen). 

1055.  S.  franklini  (Sabine).    GRAY  GOPHER.    Yellowish  brown, 
mottled  with  black.     L.  15.     T.  5£.     Prairies  ;  1ST.  111.  and  N.  W. 
(To  Sir  John  Franklin.) 

1056.  S  tridecemlineatus  (Mitchill).   STRIPED  GOPHER.   Dark 
brown,  mixed  with  reddish,  with  6  to  8  light  stripes  alternating  with 
lines  of  dots,  about  1 3  streaks  in  all ;  yellowish  below,  with  a  broad 
black  stripe  on  each  side.     L.  10^.     T.  3J.     Prairies  ;  Ark.  to  111. 
and  N.  W.,  common.     (Lat.,  13-lined.) 

553.  TAMIAS  Illiger.     (ra/u'as,  a  steward.) 
a.  Premolars  \. 

1057.  T.  striatus  (L.).    CHIPMUNK.    GROUND  SQUIRREL.   Red- 
dish brown ;  back  with  5  black  stripes  and  2  whitish  ones ;  rump 
reddish.     L.  11.      T.  4£.     Maine  to  Va.  and  W.,  abundant;  the 
Southern  form  is  var.  lysteri  (Pallas). 

aa.  Premolars  f. 

1058.  T.  asiaticus  (Gmelin).   MISSOURI  CHIPMUNK.    Back  with 
5  black  stripes  and  4  whitish  ones ;  rump  grayish.      L.  8.      T.  4. 
Wis.  (Hoy.),  N.  W.  to  Asia.    The  E.  form,  var.  quadrivittatns  Say, 
has  the  sides  bright  rusty,  the  stripes  on  back  well-defined.     (Z2w.) 

554.  SCIURUS  Linnaeus.     (o-K/oupoy,  squirrel ;  cnaa,  shade; 
ovpd,  tail.) 

1059.  S.  hudsonicus  Erxleben.    RED  SQUIRREL.    CHICKAREE. 
Yellowish  gray,  back  with  a  median  wash  of  bright  rusty  red ;  tail 
short  and  narrow,  with  a  subterminal  band  of  black.    L.  14.    T.  6£. 
N.  Am.,  S.  to  Penn.  and  N".  Ind. ;  abundant  N. 

1060.  S.   carolinensis   Gmelin.     GRAY   SQUIRREL.      BLACK 
SQUIRREL.     Whitish  gray,  usually  varied  with  tawny  ;  middle   of 
back  brownish ;  ears  not  tufted ;  often  entirely  jet  black.     L.  20. 
T.  9.    N.  Am.,  E.  of  the  plains,  abundant.    The  common  Northern 


324  MAMMALIA  :  INSECTIVORA.  —  XLIX. 

form  is  var.  lencotis  Gapper,  larger,  the  brownish  band  on  back 
narrow.  The  typical  carolinensis  is  Southern,  N.  to  St.  Louis. 
L.  17£.  T.  8. 

1061.  S.  niger  L.     Fox  SQUIRREL.     General  color  rusty  gray, 
varying  from  almost  white,  through  various  shades  of  rusty  red,  to 
jet  black,  the  latter  color  rare  northward,  reddish  and  orange  shades 
predominating  westward;  tail  very  large  and  bushy.    L.  26.    T.  11. 
E.  U.  S.,  very  abundant  S.  W.,  N.  to  Mass.    Leading  varieties  are : 
var.  niger,  the  Southern  form,  gray  to  black,  with  the  ears  and  nose 
white,  the  belly  reddish ;  var.  cinereus  L.,  the  Eastern  form,  similar 
in  color,  the  ears  and  nose  not  white,  the  ears  short,  scarcely  longer 
than  the  fur;  and  var.  ludovieianus  Custis,  the  common  Western 
Fox  Squirrel,  with  high  ears  and  a  prevailing  tinge  of  orange  red ; 
ears,  feet  and  belly  reddish. 

555.  SCIUROPTERUS  Frederic  Cuvier.     (o-Kiovpos,  squirrel ; 
TTTfpov,  wing.) 

1062.  S.  volans 1  (L.).    COMMON  FLYING  SQUIRREL.    Dull  yel- 
lowish brown,  creamy  white  below.   L.  10.   T.  4.   N.  Am.,  abundant. 
The  Canadian  form,  var.  sabrinus  Shaw,  is  larger  (L.  about  12; 
T.  4£),  with  more  dusky,  especially  on  tail.     (Lat.,  flying.) 

"  But  we  have  reached  the  end  of  the  chain  of  rodent  beings  of 
the  earth,  the  water,  and  almost  of  the  air,  a  cycle  of  mammalian 
life  which  circumscribes  extraordinary  diversity  of  form  and  func- 
tion, revolving  about  a  single  central  point  of  organization,  namely, 
adze-like  teeth,  to  gnaw  wood  with.  The  number  of  individuals 
which  make  a  living  in  this  way  in  a  world  of  Malthusian  strife  is 
simply  incalculable.  .  .  .  Yet  they  have  one  obvious  part  to  play, 
that  of  turning  grass  into  flesh,  in  order  that  carnivorous  Goths 
and  Vandals  may  subsist  also,  and  in  their  turn  proclaim,  *  All 
flesh  is  grass.'"  (Coues.) 

ORDER  XLIX.    INSECTIVORA.     (THE  INSECT-EATERS.) 

Teeth  of  three  kinds,  molars,  canines  and  incisors,  all  with 
enamel;  brain  small,  the  cerebrum  without  sylvian  fissure;  limbs 
well-developed  and  adapted  for  walking. 

A  large  group  of  small  animals,  analogous  to  the  Carnivora  in 
many  respects,  but  the  individuals  so  small  as  to  be  unable  to  attack 
vertebrate  animals,  and  therefore  feeding  chiefly  on  insects.  But 
two  of  the  numerous  families  are  represented  in  our  fauna. 

a.  Fur  soft,  without  spines;  sides  of  body  without  membrane  for  "flying;" 
canine  teeth  indistinct. 

1  This  is  Mm  volans  L.  S.  N.  ed.  x.  p.  63.  Sciurus  volans  L.  (p.  64)  is  the  European 
Flying  Squirrel,  Pteromys  volans. 


CLXXXVIII.  325 

b.  Fore-feet  not  enlarged ;  muzzle  elongate ;  external  ear  developed ;  appear- 
ance mouse-like SORICID.E,  188. 

bb.  Fore  feet  very  broad,  with  stout  claws  adapted  for  digging;  no  external 
ear TALPID.E,  189. 

FAMILY  CLXXXVIII.    SORICIDu3E.     (THE  SHREWS.) 

Small  Insectivora,  mouse-like  in  appearance,  with  the  eyes  and 
external  ears  developed.  Muzzle  elongate.  Feet  normal,  not 
fossorial  ;  the  fore-feet  mostly  smaller  than  the  hind  ones.  Teeth 
1 61t°22  °  ;  canines  obsolete.  The  most  abundant  and  widely  dis- 
tributed family  of  the  Insectivora,  comprising  more  than  half  the 
known  species,  arranged  in  8  genera.  The  number  of  species  of 
Blarina  and  Sorex  is  still  uncertain,  and  the  geographical  distribu- 
tion of  the  species  has  been  little  studied. 

a.  Feet  very  long,  with  a  fringe  of  hairs;  ears  valvular  (to  exclude  water) ; 
concha  (external  ear)  directed  backwards;  tail  long;  teeth  f§=32. 

NEOSOKEX,  556. 
aa.  Feet  not  fringed. 

b.  Ears  large,  the  concha  turned  backward SOREX,  557. 

bb.  Ears  small,  not  visible  externally,  the  concha  directed  forwards,  so  as  to 
hide  the  opening;  tail  short,  not  longer  than  head.  .    BLARINA,  558. 

556.  NEOSOREX  Baird.     (W«,  to  swim  ;  Sorex.') 

1063.  N.  palustris  (Richardson).      WATER  SHREW.      Hoary 
black;   belly  ashy  gray;  largest  of  our  shrews.     L.  6.     T.   2J. 
Mass,  to  Rocky  Mts.  and  N.     Aquatic. 

557    SOREX  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  a  field-mouse.) 
a.  Teeth  colored,  32  =  f§;  feet  large.     (Sorex.) 
b.  Third  upper  premolar  larger  than  fourth. 

1064.  S.  forsteri  (Richardson).     Ears  small ;   tail  f  length  of 
head  and  body ;  snout  slender.     L.  4J.     T.  If.     N.  U.  S.,  S.  to 
Penn.     (To  John  Reinhold  Forster.) 

1065.  S.  richardsoni  Bachman.     Ears  rather  small;  tail  scant- 
haired.     L.  4.     T.  1£.     Wis.  and  N.     (To  Sir  John  Richardson.) 

1066.  S.  platyrhimis  (DeKay).     COMMON  SHREW.     SHREW 
MOUSE.     Ears  very  large  for  a  Shrew;  tail  short,  scant-haired; 
color  chestnut-brown.     L.  3|.     T.  1^.     N.  U.  S.,  rather  common. 
(TrActTu?,  broad  ;  p[v,  snout.) 

bb.  Third  upper  premolar  equal  to  fourth  and  smaller  than  first  and  second. 

1067.  S.  cooperi  Bachman.    Ears  large;  chestnut  brown.    L.  3f. 
T.  \\.     Mass,  to  Neb.  and  N.     (To  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper.) 

1068.  S.  personatus  Geoffrey  St.  Hilaire.    Ears  large  ;  chestnut 
brown.     L.  2f.     T.  1.     Smallest  of  our  Shrews ;   Penn.  and  S. 
(Lat.,  masked.) 

aa.  Teeth  30  —  i§;  feet  small.    (Microsorex  Baird.) 


326  MAMMALIA:  INSECTIVOEA.  —  XUX. 

1069.  S.  hoyi  Baird.    Very  small  and  slender;  ears  large;  olive 
brown.     L.  3.     T.  l£.     Wis.  to  Nova  Scotia  and  N.     (To  Dr.  P. 
R.  Hoy.) 

558.  BLARINA  Gray.     (A  coined  name.) 

a    Teeth  32  =  ?§.    (Blarina.) 

1070.  B.  bievicauda  (Say).     MOLE-SHREW.     Size  large  for  a 
Shrew;  fur  short  and  coarse  ;  color  dark  ashy  gray.    L.  4^.    T.  1. 
Mass,  to  Va.  and  Dak.,  generally  common.     (Lat.,  short-tail.) 

1071.  B.  carolinensis  (Bachman).     Smaller  ;  leaden  gray.     L. 
3}.     T.  f .    Mo.  to  N.  C.  and  S. 

1072.  B.  angusticeps  Baird.     Skull  unusually  narrow  ;  uniform 
plumbeous ;  tail  as  long  as  head.     L.  3£.     T.I.     Vermont.     (Lat., 
narrow  head.) 

aa.  Teeth  30  =  {§;  tail  bicolor.    (Soriciscus  Coues.) 

1073.  B.   parva   (Say).     Body  stout ;    iron  gray,  with  brown 
gloss.     L.  3|.     T.  f.     Penn.  to  Ga.  and  S.,  not  rare. 

1074.  B.  exilipes  Baird.    Fur  full ;  feet  very  small ;  hoary  olive. 
L.  2|.     T.  |.     Va.  to  111.  and  S.     (Lat., exilis,  slender;  pes,  foot.) 

FAMILY  CLXXXIX.    TALPID^E.     (THE  MOLES.) 

Body  stout,  thick,  and  clumsy,  without  distinct  neck.  Eyes  rudi- 
mentary, sometimes  concealed.  No  external  ears.  Limbs  very 
short ;  feet  greatly  expanded  and  provided  with  strong  claws, 
adapted  for  digging ;  anterior  limbs  much  larger  than  posterior. 
Scapula  as  long  as  humerus  and  radius  together.  Canines  usually 
distinct.  Fur  compact,  soft,  and  velvety.  Genera  7 ;  found  through- 
out the  Northern  hemisphere  ;  most  of  them  digging  elaborate  bur- 
rows. (Lat.,  talpa,  mole.) 
a.  Snout  elongated,  not  star-shaped  at  tip;  tail  shorter  than  head. 

b.  Teeth  fi  =  36;  nostrils  partly  superior;  tail  nearly  naked. 

SCALOPS,  559. 

bb.  Teeth  §§  =  44;  nostrils  lateral;  tail  densely  hairy.     .    SCAPANUS,  560. 
aa.  Snout  elongated,  fringed  at  tip  with  a  circle  of  long  fleshy  projections; 
nostrils  terminal ;  tail  much  longer  than  head ;  teeth  \\  =  44. 

CONDYLURA,  561. 

559.  SCALOPS  Cuvier.     (ovcdAo^,  mole,  from  o-KaXXw,  to  dig.) 

1075.  S.  aquations  (L.).     COMMON  MOLE.     Dark  plumbeous, 
paler  below ;  feet  full  webbed  ;  palms  broader  than  long ;  eye  not 
wholly  covered  by  skin.      L.  5£.      T.  1.     Mass,  to  Ind.,  and  S., 
very  abundant. 

1076.  S.  argentatus  Audubon  &  Bachman.     PRAIRIE  MOLE. 
Silvery  plumbeous ;  palms  scarcely  broader  than  long ;  eyes  covered 
by  skin ;  larger  and  more  silvery  than  the  preceding.    L.  6£.    T.  l£. 
Mich,  to  La.  and  W.,  chiefly  in  the  prairie  region. 


VESPERTILIONID.E.  —  CXC.  327 

560.  S  CAP  ANUS  Pomel.     (ffKanavrj,  hoe.) 

1077.  S,    americanus    (Bartram).      HAIRY- TAILED    MOLE. 
Dark  plumbeous,  with  brown  gloss ;   palms  narrow ;  tail  densely 
hairy.     L.  5.     T.  1*    Mass,  to  Ohio. 

561.  CONDYLURA  Illiger.     (/coi/SuXo?,  node  ;  ovpd,  tail.) 

1078.  C.  cristata  (L.).     STAR-NOSED  MOLE.     Blackish;  skull 
long  and  slender.     L.  6|.     T.  2f.     Nova  Scotia  to  Ind.,  and  N. 
(Lat.,  crested.) 

ORDER  L.    CHIROPTEBA.     (THE  BATS.) 

Flying  Insectivora.  Mammals  with  the  anterior  limbs  modified 
for  flight  by  the  elongation  of  the  fore  arm,  and  especially  of  four 
of  the  fingers,  all  of  which  are  connected  by  a  thin  leathery  mem- 
brane, which  also  includes  the  hind  feet  and  the  tail ;  humerus  and 
femur  not  included  in  the  common  integument  of  the  body ;  teeth 
with  enamel,  the  three  sorts  differentiated;  mammse  pectoral.  The 
Bats  are  chiefly  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  going  into  retirement  in 
day-time,  and  hanging,  head  downward,  by  their  hind  claws.  Most 
of  them  are  insectivorous,  a  few  in  tropical  regions  feeding  on  fruits. 
About  400  species  are  known,  chiefly  of  small  size.  The  order  is 
very  sharply  defined,  but  it  has  probably  sprung  from  the  same 
stock  as  the  Insectivora.  (x«/a,  hand ;  irrepov,  fin.) 
a.  Insectivorous;  ears  large;  no  leaf -like  appendage  to  snout ;  hairs  with  im- 
bricated scales  arranged  in  spirals VESPERTILIONID^E,  190. 

FAMILY  CXC.    VESPERTILIONIDuSl.     (THE  COMMON 
BATS.) 

Insectivorous  Bats  with  the  snout  not  appendaged,  or  merely  with 
two  lateral  excrescences;  wing  membranes  ample;  tail  completely 
enclosed  in  the  interfemoral  membrane  or  only  the  last  joint  ex- 
serted;  fur  of  peculiar  structure,  each  hair  with  a  series  of  minute 
imbricated  scales  arranged  in  .spiral.  The  largest  family  of  bats, 
with  about  16  genera;  especially  abundant  in  temperate  regions, 
a.  Nostrils  simple,  at  tip  of  snout;  ears  moderate;  forehead  not  grooved. 

b.  Incisors  §:§. 

c.  Teeth  38;  muzzle  narrow,  hairy  in  front  of  eyes;  ears  as  long  as  head; 

slender  species  with  thin  wings  and  ears.      .    .     VESPERTILIO,  562. 
cc.  Teeth  32  to  36;  muzzle  nearly  naked  before  eyes;  ears  shorter  than 
head;  stout  species  with  thick  wings  and  ears.     VESPERUGO,  563. 
bb.  Incisors  £:$, 

d.  Teeth  30;   upper  incisors  small;  wings  and  interfemoral  membranes 

nearly  naked NYCTICEJUS,  564, 

dd.  Teeth  32,  upper  incisors  stout;  interfemoral  membranes  hairy  above, 

the  wings  with  furry  patches ATALAPHA,  565. 

aa.  Nostril  margined  behind  by  grooves  and  glandular  prominences;  cheeks 
with  large  excrescences;  ears  very  large  (an  inch  high);  teeth  36. 

PLECOTUS,  566. 


328  MAMMALIA  :   CHIROPTERA.  —  L. 

562.  VESPERTILIO  Linnaeus.i  (Lat.,  bat,  from  vesper,  evening.) 

1079.  V.  subulatus  Say.     LITTLE  BROWN  BAT.     Face  small, 
fox-like,  with  high  forehead  and  pointed  snout;  ears  large,  oval, 
twice  the  height  of  the  erect  tragus ;  wings  naked;  interfemoral 
membrane  naked  except  at  base ;  face  whiskered ;  color  dull  olive- 
brown.     L.  3.     E.  9.     T.  1^.     E.  N.  Am.,  abundant  everywhere  ; 
very  variable.     (Lat.,  awl-shaped.) 

563.  VESPERUGO  Keyserling  &  Blasius.     (Lat,  vesper, 

evening.) 
a.  Teeth  36;  molars  |:|.    ( Vesperides  Coues.) 

1080.  V.   noctivagans   (Le  Conte).     SILVER    BLACK   BAT. 
Tragus  almost  as  broad  as  high,  scarcely  one-third  height  of  ear ; 
femoral  membrane  entirely  though  scantily  furred ;   fur  long  and 
silky,  black,  usually  with  silvery  tips  to  the  hairs.     L.  3^.     E.  12. 
T.  1^.     U.S.  generally.     (Lat.,  nox,  night;  vagans,  wandering.) 
oa.  Teeth  34;  molars  f:f.    (Vesperugo.) 

1081.  V.  georgianus  (F.  Cuvier).      Tragus  slender,  erect,  half 
the  height  of  the  ear ;  upper  incisors  about  equal  in  size ;  femo- 
ral membrane  one-third  furred ;  dark  reddish  brown,  brighter  for- 
wards.    L.  3.     E.  9.     T.  l\.     Maine  to  Texas  ;  chiefly  southward. 
aaa.  Teeth  32;  molars  £f.    ( Vesperus  Coues.) 

1082.  V.  serotinus  (Schreber).     LONG-EARED  BAT.     Tragus 
never  pointed,  nearly  half  as  high  as  ear;  wings  naked;  interfe- 
moral membrane  furred  at  base ;  ear  more  or  less  turned  outward  ; 
upper  lateral  incisors  small,  scarcely  visible.     L.  3  to  4.     E.  12. 
T.  1^.     Northern  hemisphere,  widely  diffused ;  the  American  form, 
var.  fuscus  Beauvais,  is  said  to  be  rather  smaller  than  the  European. 
(l?u.).     (Lat.  of  evening.) 

564.  NYCTICEJUS  Rafinesque.     (^£,  night.) 

1083.  N.   crepuscularis  (Le  Conte.)     TWILIGHT  BAT.     Ears 
small,  wide  apart ;    a  small  wart  above  eye ;    fur  rather  scanty. 
Dark  fawn  color  above,  passing  into  brownish  below.    L.  3^-.    E.  9. 
T.  1^.     Penn.  to  Mo.  and  S.  W.,  common.     (Lat.,  of  twilight.) 

565.  ATALAPHA  Rafinesque. 

1084.  A.  iioveboracensis  (Erxleben).     RED  BAT.     Fur  long 
and  silky,  reddish  brown,  mostly  white  at  tip ;  lips  and  ears  not 
edged  with  black ;  a  whitish  tuft  at  base  of  thumb.     L.  3f.     E.  12. 
T.  1^.     U.  S.  everywhere,  very  abundant ;  known  by  its  reddish 
color.     (Lat.,  of  New  York.) 

1085.  A.  cinerea  (Beauvais).     HOARY  BAT.     Rich  chocolate- 
brown,  overlaid  with  white ;  lips  and  ears  marked  with  black.     L. 
5.     E.  14.     T.  2£.     U.  S.,  rather  northward,  rare.     (Lat.,  ashy.) 


VESPERTILIONID^E.  —  CXC.  329 

566.  PLECOTUS  Geoffrey  St.  Hilaire.     (TrXe/cco,  to  fold  ; 
ovs,  ear.) 

a.   Nostril  without   "rose-leaf"   or  disk-like    appendage.      (Corynorhinus 
H.  Allen.) 

1086.  P.   macrotis  (Le  Conte).     BIG-EARED  BAT.     Blackish; 
fur  soft  and  long.     L.  3J.     E.  11.     T.  If.     Va.  to  Dak.  and  S. 
s,  large  ;  ovs,  ear.) 


ORDER  LI.    CETE.     (THE  CETACEANS.) 

Mammals  of  the  sea,  more  or  less  fish-like  in  form,  and  adapted 
for  life  in  the  open  ocean.  Bones  of  the  neck  short,  more  or  less 
fused  ;  posterior  limbs  wanting  ;  pelvis  rudimentary  ;  anterior 
limbs  developed  as  broad,  flattened  paddles,  without  distinct  fingers 
and  without  nails.  Nostrils  developed  as  spiracles,  and  opening 
usually  on  top  of  head,  thus  enabling  the  animals  to  breathe  with- 
out raising  the  head  from  the  water;  eyes  small  ;  no  external  ear; 
skin  nearly  or  quite  destitute  of  hair  ;  tail  ending  in  a  broad  hori- 
zontal fin  or  paddle  ;  back  sometimes  with  a  dorsal  fin.  Skin  thick 
and  tough  ;  beneath  it  a  thick  layer  of  fat  (blubber),  which  pro- 
tects the  animal  from  the  cold.  Species  numerous  ;  found  in  all 
seas,  some  of  them  being  the  largest  of  all  animals.  The  nearest 
relationships  of  the  whales  are  perhaps  with  the  seals,  among  living 
forms,  but  the  differentiation  is  now  very  wide.  Of  the  numerous 
species  occasionally  straying  to  our  coasts,  the  following  seem  prop- 
erly to  belong  to  our  fauna.  The  nomenclature  and  analysis  of 
genera  is  chiefly  taken  from  True's  paper  on  "  Collecting  specimens 
of  Cetaceans,"  in  Rept.  U.  S.  F.  C.  for  1883-1885.  I  have  also 
made  considerable  use  of  MSS.  lists  of  species,  kindly  given  me 
by  Mr.  F.  W.  True,  and  by  Professor  Cope,  (/c^ros,  whale.) 

Families  of  Cete. 

a.  Upper  jaw  without  whalebone  ;  spiracles  coalescent  into  one  ;  lower  jaw 

much  less  thick  than  upper;  skull  unsymmetrical.     (Denticete.) 
b.  Upper  jaw  with  teeth  (except  in  the  adult  of  one  genus);  eye  inserted 
behind  angle  of  mouth  and  not  much  above  it;  snout  more  or  le»* 
sharp  at  tip;   lower  jaw  with  numerous  (6  to  120)  teeth. 

DELPHINHXE,  191. 
bb.  Upper  jaw  toothless;  eye  decidedly  above  angle  of  mouth. 

c.  Lower  jaw  with  2  to  4  teeth,  or  apparently  toothless;  snout  more  or  less 
sharp  at  tip  ..............    ZIPHIID^E,  192. 

cc.  Lower  jaw  with  18  to  50  teeth  ;  snout  not  sharp,  sometimes  truncate 
at  tip  ..............      PHYSETERIDJE,  193. 

aa.  Upper  jaw  with  long  strips  of  baleen  or  whalebone  ;  no  teeth  ;  spiracles 
separate;  eye  very  small,  close  to  angle  of  mouth,  between  mouth  and 
pectorals;  lower  jaw  very  thick  and  deep,  nearly  as  deep  as  upper,  the 
cleft  of  mouth  curved.  (Mystictte.)  .....  BAL^ENID^E,  194. 


330  MAMMALIA  :   CETE.  —  LI. 

FAMILY  CXCL    DELPHINID^.     (THE  DOLPHINS.) 

Cetaceans  with  well  developed  teeth  in  both  jaws  (deciduous  in 
the  upper  jaw  in  one  genus)  and  a  single,  somewhat  complicated 
nasal  tube.  Genera  17,  species  about  40,  including  the  smaller 
of  the  Cetacea,  but  many  of  the  most  active  and  voracious  of  the 
species. 

a.  Head  with  an  elongate  beak;  a  distinct  dorsal  fin. 
b.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  about  44;   truncate  at  tip;  palate  without  lateral 

grooves TURSIOPS,  567. 

bb.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  80  to  120. 

x.  Palate  without  lateral  grooves PRODELPHINUS,  567  (b). 

xx.  Palate  with  deep  lateral  grooves DELPHINUS,  568. 

aa.  Head  with  a  very  short  beak  or  none. 
c.  Teeth  in  both  jaws  persistent. 

d.  Teeth  flattened;  dorsal  present PHOC^ENA,  569. 

dd.  Teeth  terete. 

e.  Dorsal  fin  well  developed. 
/.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  44  to  46;  dorsal  fin  falcate. 

LAGEA'ORHYNCHUS,   570. 

ff.  Teeth  in  each  jaw  16  to  24. 

g.  Dorsal  moderate;  head  almost  globular;  P.  long  and  narrow; 
teeth  rather  weak,  none  in  corner  of  mouth. 

GLOBICEPHALUS,  571. 

gg.  Dorsal  very  high,  sword-shaped,  its  height  greater  than  length 
of  pectorals;  teeth  very  strong;  skull  massive.    ORCA,  572. 
ee.  Dorsal  fin  obsolete;  pectoral  short;  teeth  few. 

DELPHINAPTERUS,  573. 

cc.  Teeth  in  upper  jaw  feeble,  disappearing  with  age ;  6  to  14  bluntish 
teeth  in  lower  jaw;  dorsal  fin  low,  rather  posterior.    GRAMPUS,  574. 

567.  TURSIOPS  Gervais.     (Lat.,  tursio,  porpoise.) 

1087.  T.  tursio  (L.).     BOTTLE-NOSE  DOLPHIN.     Gray  above, 
pure  white  below ;   beak  short  and   stout ;  teeth  |-|.      Vertebrae 
7_|_18_|_37.     L.  11  feet.     N.  Atl.,  common;  caught  in  numbers 
at  Cape  May.     (Eu.) 

1088.  T.  erebennus  (Cope.)    BLACK  DOLPHIN.    Wholly  black  ; 
premaxillaries  forming  an    elevated,   rounded  ridge ;     teeth  ||. 
Vertebras   7-}-ll-f-16-}-?.     L.  8  feet.     Atlantic  Coast  of  U.  S. 
(epc/Seiwfc,  black  as  Erebus.) 

567  (b).  PRODELPHINUS  Gervais. 

1089.  P.  plagiodon    (Cope)       SPOTTED   DOLPHIN.     Form  of 
D.  delphis  ;  dorsal  high,  recurved ;  P.  broad ;  beak  stout.     Dark 
purplish  slate-color,  above ;   white  below ;    back  and  fins  spotted 
with  pale ;  lower  parts  spotted  with  dark  slate.    L.  10  feet.    N.  Atl., 
S.  to  N.  J.     (nXdyios,  oblique ;  oSow,  tooth.) 


DELPHINID.E.  —  CXCI.  331 

1090.  P.  doris  (Gray).     Outline  from  foramen  to  crest  curved; 
cranium  rounded ;  occiput  broad,  rounded ;  muzzle  short ;  its  length 
ty  times  its  width  at  premaxillary  notch.     N.  Atl.  (not  American  ?) 
(Eu.)     (dopis,  a  sacrificial  knife.) 

568.  DELPHINUS  Linnaeus.     (dc\<j>is,  dolphin.) 

1091.  D.   delphis    L.      COMMON   DOLPHIN.      Snout  narrow, 
sharp;  occiput  short, rounded.     L.  10  feet.     N.  Atl.,  scarce  on  our 
coast.     (Eu.) 

569.  FHOC-S1NA  Cuvier.     (<£o>*ca«/a,  porpoise,  from  ^XUKJ;,  seal.) 

1092.  P.  phoceena  (L.).    COMMON  HARBOR  PORPOISE.    PUF- 
FING  PIG.     SNUFFER.     Color  nearly  plain  dusky  above,  paler 
below.     L.  5  feet.     N.  Atl.  and  N.  Pac. ;  very  common  in  surf 
and  near  shore,  ascending  rivers.     (.Ew.)     (P.  brachycium  Cope, 
the  E.  American  form,  and  P.  lineata  Cope,  a  form  with  a  reddish 
brown  lateral  band  on  sides  separating  the  blackish  back  from  the 
white  belly,  are  probably  varieties  of  P.  phoceena.) 

570.  LAGENORHYNCHTTS  Gray.     (Xdyrjvos,  flagon ; 

pvy%oS)  snout.) 

1093.  L.  acutus  Gray.     SKUNK  PORPOISE.     BAY  PORPOISE. 
Sides  with  broad  stripes  of  white  and  yellow.     L.  10  to  15  feet. 
Coast  of  1ST.  E.  U.  S.,  and  in  the  open  seas  in  large  schools ;  like 
other  porpoises,  often  swimming  alongside  of  ships  as  if  racing  with 
them.   Common,  used  for  bait.    Two  or  three  other  species  occur  in 
the  N.  Atl.     (Eu.) 

571.  GLOBICEPHALUS  Lesson.     (Lat.,  globus,  globe ; 

Kf^aXij,  head.) 

1094.  G.  melas  (Traill).   BLACK  FISH.   PILOT  WHALE.   GRIND 
WHALE.     Black ;    P.  about  4  in  length.     L.  20  feet.     N.  Atl., 
common,  in  large  schools,  S.  to  N.  J.     (/ueXas,  black.)     (Eu.) 

1095.  G.  brachypterus  Cope.     Black;  P.  6  in  length.     Coast 
of  N.  J.  and  S.     (fipaxvs,  short ;  nrepoi/,  fin.) 

572.  ORCA  Gray.     (Latin  name.) 

1096.  O.    orca    (L.).     KILLER.     SWORD   GRAMPUS.    Black, 
white    below.      A   most    persistently   voracious    and    destructive 
cetacean,  attacking   all    large   sea   animals,  tunnies,    sword-fishes, 
seals,  and  all  whales,  even  the  largest,  to  the  great  annoyance  of 
fishermen.     L.  20  feet  or  more.    D.  6  feet  high.     Atl.    (Eu.)    (0. 
gladiator  Bonnaterre.) 

573.  DELFHINAFTERTTS  Lacepede.     (8e\(pis,  dolphin ; 
a,  privative ;  irrfpov,  fin.) 

1097.  D.  leucas  (Pallas).    WHITE  WHALE.    BELUGA.    Creamy 


332  MAMMALIA  :  CETE.  —  LI. 

white,  young  dusky.     N.  Atl.,   S.   to   Cape   Cod.     L.   15   feet, 
(Eu.) 

574.  GRAMPUS  Gray.     (A  corruption  of  the  French 
"  grand  poisson.") 

1098.  G.    griseus    (Cuvier).     GRAMPUS.     Cow   FISH.     Slate 
color,  with  white  scratches.     L.  15  to  20  feet.     N.  Atl.,  not  rare. 
(Eu.)     (Lat.,  gray.) 

FAMILY  CXCH.    ZIPHIID^E.     (THE  BOTTLED-NOSED 
WHALES.) 

This  group  is  intermediate  between  the  Sperm  Whales  and  the 
Dolphins.  It  is  distinguished  from  the  former  chiefly  by  the  very 
small  number  of  teeth,  usually  not  more  than  four  developed  in  the 
lower  jaw,  these  fitting  into  pits  in  the  upper ;  these  teeth  are  mostly 
developed  only  in  the  male.  Dorsal  small,  posterior ;  pectoral  short, 
ovate,  placed  low,  with  five  fingers  enclosed  in  thick  skin ;  snout 
more  or  less  produced,  the  forehead  rising  abruptly  in  the  adult. 
Genera  4 ;  species  about  10,  mostly  of  the  Southern  seas. 

o.  Teeth  in  cf  evident. 

b.  Visible  teeth  two,  in  tip  of  lower  jaw ZIPHIUS,  575. 

bb.  Visible  teeth  two,  in  side  of  lower  jaw MESOPLODON,  576. 

oo.  Teeth  in  both  jaws  wanting  or  concealed;  beak  long. 

HYPEKOODON,  577. 

575.  ZIPHIUS  Cuvier.     (An  old  name,  from  £i'0os,  sword?) 

1099.  Z.  cavirostris  Cuvier.     L.  20  feet.     Atl.    (Eu.).    (Lat., 
concave-snout.) 

576.  MESOPLODON  Gervais.     (pea-os,  middle  ;  OTT\OV, 
armature ;  o&ov,  tooth.) 

1100.  M.   sowerbiensis    (Blainville).      COW-FISH.     K    Atl., 
scarce.     L.  20  feet.     (Eu.) 

577.  HYPEROODON  Lacepede     (virtpaa,  palate  ;  odo>j/,  tooth.) 

1101.  H.    rostratus     (Miiller).       BOTTLE -NOSED     WHALE. 
SPERM-WHALE   PORPOISE.     Beak  distinct  in  young,  obscured  in 
adult  by  the  development  of  bony  crests  which  give  the  head  the 
shape  of  a  trunk  or  chest.     N.  Atl.    L.  25  feet.     (Eu.)     (Lat., 
long-nosed.)     (H.  bidens  Owen  ;  Z.  semijunctus  Cope.) 

FAMILY  CXCIII.    PHYSBTBRID^iJ.     (THE  SPERM 

WHALES.) 

Teeth  numerous,  in  lower  jaw  only ;  lower  jaw  very  thin  and 
flat ;  upper  jaw  heavy ;  eye  placed  high,  much  above  angle  of 
mouth.  Two  genera,  with  3  or  4  species,  in  warm  seas. 


PHYSETE  RID^E.  —  CXCIII.  333 

a.  Dorsal  fin  present,  behind  middle  of  back;  teeth  18  to  30,  very  sharp; 
head  bluntish  but  not  truncate  ;  spiracles  on  top  of  head  ;  length  about  20 
feet  ...................     KOGIA,  578. 

oa.  Dorsal  fin  wanting;  teeth  40  to  50,  large  and  blunt;  head  very  long  and 
deep,  truncate  in  front,  the  cavity  of  the  snout  filled  with  oil  arid  sper- 
maceti ;  spiracles  in  front  of  head  ;  length  60  to  80  feet. 

PHYSETER,  579. 
578.  KOGIA  Gray. 

1102.  K.  breviceps  (Blainville).  PIGMY  SPERM  WHALE. 
Warm  seas,  occasional  on  our  coast.  (Lat.,  short-headed.)  (Eu.) 
(K.  grayi,  goodei,  etc.) 


579.  PHYSETER  Linnaeus.     ((^vcnjT^p,  a  whale,  from 
to  blow.) 

1103.  P.  macrocephalus  L.  SPERM  WHALE.  CACHALOT. 
Blackish,  paler  below.  Open  sea,  commonest  far  S.  ;  one  of  the 
most  valuable  of  the  whales.  L.  £  80  feet  ;  9  much  smaller.  (Eu.) 
s,  long  ;  Kt(j)a\T],  head.) 


FAMILY  CXCIV.    BAL^JNID^l.     (THE   TRUE  WHALES.) 

Teeth  disappearing  before  birth,  their  place  taken  in  the  upper 
jaw  by  an  array  of  parallel  plates  with  fringed  edges,  known  as 
baleen  or  whalebone.  Eye  very  small,  placed  close  to  angle  of 
mouth.  Spiracles  separate,  comparatively  simple  in  structure; 
lower  jaw  very  large  and  thick,  its  edge  convex  upward.  Genera 
8,  species  about  20  ;  huge  creatures,  mostly  of  the  colder  seas, 
feeding  chiefly  on  small  animals  and  sought  by  man  for  the  sake  of 
the  oil  (blubber),  and  the  whalebone. 

a.  Belly  with  conspicuous  longitudinal  furrows;  pectorals  shorter  than  head. 
b.  Dorsal  fin  well  developed. 

c.  Dorsal  fin  much  nearer  tail  than  head. 

d.  Whalebone  slaty  or  pale;  beak  rather  acuminate.    PHYSALUS,  580. 

del.  "Whalebone  black  ;  beak  rather  obtuse.       .     .      SIBBALDIUS,  581. 

cc.  Dorsal  fin  nearly  median  ........    BAL^ENOPTERA,  582. 

bb.  Dorsal  fin  obsolete;  back  with  a  fleshy  hump;  belty  with  furrows;  pec- 
toral as  long  as  head  ..........    MEGAPTERA,  583. 

aa.  Belly  without  furrows;  dorsal  fin  obsolete. 

e.  Whalebone  short  and  white  (1  to  2  feet  long).      .     .    AGAPHELUS,  584. 
ee.  Whalebone  very  long  and  blackish  (7  to  12  feet  long).       BAL^ENA,  585. 

580.  PHYSALUS  Gray.    ($vo-oAoff,  whale,  from  <£vo-aa>,to  blow.) 

1104.  P.  physalus  (L.).  COMMON  RORQUAL.  FINNER.  FIN- 
BACK. RAZOR-BACK.  Black  above,  paler  below.  L.  70  feet. 
N.  Atl.  (Eu.}  (P.  antiquorum  Gray  ;  Balcenoptera  loops,  and 
musculus  L.) 


334  MAMMALIA:   CETE.  —  LI. 

581.    SIBBALDIUS1   Gray.      (To    Robert    Sibbald,   who    de- 
scribed the  whales  of  Scotland  in  1773.) 

1105.  S.  borealis  (Cuvier).    SILVER-BOTTOM  WHALE.     Steel 
gray.     L.  90  feet.     N.  Atl.     (Eu.)     (Allied  to  this  species  is  the 
Pacific  "  Sulphur  Bottom,"  Sibbaldius  sulfureus  Cope,  the  largest 
of  all  animals,  reaching  a  length  of  more  than  100  feet.) 

1106.  S.  tuberosus  Cope.     Back  with  a  series  of  humps  or 
tuberosities  along  the  median  line  from  dorsal    to  tail ;    uniform 
black  above ;  P.  without  band.     L.  40  to  50  feet.     N.  Atl. 

1107.  S.  tectirostris  Cope.     FIN-BACK  WHALE.     L.  60  feet. 
Coast  of  E.  U.  S.,  the  most  common  large  whale  in  Mass.  Bay. 
(Lat.,  tectus,  covered  ;  rostrum,  snout.) 

582.  BAKS-iNOFTERA  Lacepede.     (Balcena  ;  irrcpov,  fin.) 

1108.  B.  rostrata  (Miiller).     PIKED  WHALE.     L.  30  feet.    N. 
Atl.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  long-nosed.) 

583.  MEGAPTERA  Gray,     (peyas,  large ;  nrepdi/,  fin.) 

1109.  M.  longimana  (Rudolphi).    HUMP-BACK  WHALE.    Body 
short,  thick,  with  humps  and  protuberances ;    skin  often  covered 
with  barnacles.     L.  50  to  75  feet;  color  usually  black.     N.  Atl., 
formerly  common.     An  American  form  has  been  described  as  M. 
osphyia  Cope,  on  account  of  the  shorter  head  and  fins,  and  higher 
neural  spines.     (Eu.}     (Lat.,  longus,  long ;  manus,  hand.) 

584.  AGAPHELUS  Cope. 

1110.  A.  gibbosus  (Erxleben).     SCRAG  WHALE.     N.  Atl.,  a 
rare  or  very  doubtful  species,  sometimes  thought  to  be  the  young 
of  the  Right  Whale.     (Eu.) 

585.  BAL^JNA  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  whale.) 

1111.  B.  cisarctica  Cope.     RIGHT  WHALE.     BLACK  WHALE. 
The  common  large  whale  of  our  Eastern  coasts  and  the  North 
Atlantic  generally,  occasionally  S.  to  S.  C.     Color  black.     L.  40 
feet.    (Eu.)    (Lat.,  this  side  of  Arctic.)    (B.  biscayensis  Gervais, 
the  American  name  older.) 

In  the  Arctic  seas  occurs  the  great  Bowhead,  B.  mysticetus  L., 
the  most  valuable  of  the  whales,  reaching  a  length  of  50  or  60  feet, 
yielding  200  to  300  barrels  of  oil  and  from  1  to  2  tons  of  whale- 
bone. 

1  According  to  Professor  Cope,  this  genus  is  a  doubtful  one,  S.  tectirostris  being 
perhaps  not  really  different  from  Balcenoptera  (Physalus)  physalus. 

Pruuubiy  Pkysalus  and  Sibbaldius  should  be  united  to  BaUenoptera.    (True.) 


CERVIDvE.  —  CXCV.  335 

ORDER  LIL    UNGULATA.     (THE  HOOFED  MAMMALS.) 

Herbivorous  mammals  provided  with  1  to  4  enlarged  and  thick- 
ened claws  or  hoofs  on  each  foot ;  molar  teeth  adapted  for  grind- 
ing. The  anatomical  characters  of  this  well-known  and  varied 
group  are  too  numerous  to  be  here  summarized.  The  order  is 
usually  subdivided  into  the  Perissodactyli,  or  odd-toed  ungulates, 
and  the  Artiodactyli  or  even-toes.  The  former  group  is  exempli- 
fied by  the  Horse  (Equus  caballus  L.),  the  Ass  (A sinus  asinus  L.), 
the  Rhinoceros  and  the  Tapir.  The  Artiodactyli  are  again  sub- 
divided into  the  non-ruminating,  omnivorous,  hornless,  naked  or 
bristly  allies  of  the  Common  Hog  and  Wild  Boar  (Sus  scrofa),  and 
the  group  of  Pecora  (Ruminants).  To  the  latter  belong  all  the 
living  ungulates  occurring  within  our  limits.  (Lat.,  ungulatus, 
hoofed.) 

Families  of  Ungulata. 

a.  Feet  bifid;   first  toe  wanting;  second  and  fourth  rudimentary.     (Artio- 
dactyli.) 
b.  Stomach  compound,  of  3  or  4  compartments;    horns  usually  present. 

(Pecora.) 

c.  Upper  jaw  without  incisors,  in  the  adult. 

d.  Horns  solid,  usually  branching,  deciduous.    .    .    .    CERVID^;,  195. 

dd.  Horns  permanent,  hollow,  each  enclosing  a  process  of  the  frontal 

bone BOVID^E,  196. 

FAMILY  CXCV.  CERVID^E.  (THE  DEER.) 
Horns  deciduous,  solid,  developed  from  the  frontal  bone,  more 
or  less  branched,  covered  at  first  by  a  soft,  hairy  integument, 
known  as  "  velvet  "  ;  when  the  horns  attain  their  full  size,  which 
they  do  in  a  very  short  time,  there  arises  at  the  base  of  each  a  ring 
of  tubercles  known  as  the  "  burr  ;  "  this  compresses  and  finally  ob- 
literates the  blood-vessels  supplying  the  velvet,  which  dries  up  and 
is  stripped  off,  leaving  the  bone  hard  and  insensible ;  the  horns  or 
"  antlers  "  are  shed  annually,  the  separation  of  the  "  beam  "  from  its 
"  pedicel "  taking  place  just  below  the  burr  ;  antlers  are  wanting  in 
the  female  (excepting  m  the  Reindeer)  but  they  are  present  in  the 
male  of  nearly  all  species.  Stomach  in  four  divisions,  of  the  ordi- 
nary ruminant  pattern.  Dental  formula,  i.  §.§;  c.  (usually)  ^;J; 
pm.  |:|;  m.  f  :f .  A  widely  distributed  family  of  about  13  genera. 

<7.  Horns  present  in  males  only. 

b.  Horns  rounded  more  or  less ;  rarely  sub-palmated ,  nose  naked  and  moist. 

c.  Horns  small,  curving  forward,  the  first  snag  short,  at  some  distance 

above  the  base,  and  like  the  others  curving  upward;  tail  rather  long; 

hoofs  rather  elongate CARIACUS,  586. 

cc.  Horns  large,  curving  backward,  with  the  snags  all  directed  forward, 
one  of  them  immediately  above  the  burr,  tail  very  short;  hoofs 
broad  and  rounded.  .  .  , CERVUS,  587. 


336  MAMMALIA:  UNGULATA. —  LII. 

bb.  Horns  very  broadly  palmated  to  the  tip;   nose  very  broad,  entirely 

hairy  except  a  small  naked  spot  between  nostrils.      .    .     ALCE,  588. 

aa.  Horns  (present  in  both  sexes)  broadly  palmated  at  tip;  nose  entirely 

hairy RANGIFEK,  599. 

586.  CARIACUS  Gray.     (Old  name.) 

1112.  C.  virginianus   (Boddaert) .     VIRGINIA    DEER.     RED 
DEER.     General  color  chestnut  red,  grayish  in  winter ;  tail  white 
below.     Maine  to  Rocky  mountains  and  S.,  formerly  very  common, 
and  still  abundant  in  wild  districts. 

1113.  C.  leucurus  (Douglas).     WHITE   TAILED  DEER.     Yel- 
lowish gray,  waved  with  dusky ;   lower  side  of  tail,  etc.,  white ; 
chin   mostly  white ;   size  of  preceding.     Neb.  to  Texas  and  W. 
(\CVKOS,  white ;  ovpa,  tail.) 

1114.  C.  macrotis  (Say).     MULE  DEER.     Larger;  ears  very 
long,  nearly  as  long  as  tail.     Ashy  brown,  a  darker  dorsal  stripe. 
Neb.  to  Ore.     (p.a<p6s,  long ;  ovs,  ear.) 

587.  CERVUS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  deer.) 

1115.  C.  canadensis  Erxleben.     WAPITI.     Chestnut  red,  gray- 
ish in  winter ;  size  nearly  equal  to  that  of  the  Moose.    Va.  to  Wis., 
Dak.  and  W.,  now  becoming  rare;  commonly  and  wrongly  called 
"  Elk  "  in  America. 

588.  ALCE  Hamilton  Smith.     (From  Elk.) 

1116.  A.   aloes  (L.).     MOOSE.     TRUE   ELK.      Tawny  above, 
yellowish  below ;  ears  large  ;   profile  of  snout  very  convex.     Larg- 
est of  our  Cervidce,  reaching  the  size  of  a  horse.     Maine  and  N. 
N.  Y.  to  Oregon  and  N.     (£"w.)      The  American  form  is  var. 
americanus  Jardine. 

589.  RANGIFER  Hamilton  Smith.     (Old  name.) 

1117.  R.   tarandua   (L.).     REINDEER.     Brownish,   grayer  in 
winter.     American  varieties  of  the  Reindeer,  or  possibly  distinct 
species,  are  the  Woodland  Caribou,  var.  caribou  (Kerr),  found  from 
Maine  to  L.  Superior  and  N.,  and  the  Barren  Ground  Caribou, 
var.    groenlandicus    (Kerr),  smaller  and    confined   to   the   treeless 
Arctic  regions.     (Eu.)     (Lat.,  reindeer.) 

FAMILY  CXCVI.     BOVID^B.     (THE  CATTLE.) 

Ruminants  with  the  horns,  if  present,  simple  or  nearly  so,  hol- 
low, permanent,  each  enclosing  a  process  of  the  frontal  bone. 
Teeth  i.  f ;  c.  §;  m.  f:f  =32.  Genera  about  35;  species  80  or 
more,  inhabiting  warm  regions,  and  most  abundant  in  the  Old 
World.  The  ox  (Bos  taurus  L.),  the  sheep  (Ovis  aries),  and  the 
goat  (Capra  hircus),  are  familiar  members  of  the  family. 


BOYID.E.  —  CXCVI.  337 

a.  Horns  erect,  compressed  at  base,  with  a  short  branch  or  flattened  process 
in  front,  the  end  conical,  recurved;  nose  hairy  at  tip,  except  along  the 
central  line;  tail  very  short;  false  hoofs  obsolete. 

ANTILOCAPRA,  590. 
aa.  Horns  simple. 

b.  Nose  almost  entirely  hairy,  not  broad  at  tip;  horns  curving  spirally; 
nose  convex  in  profile;  no  beard  on  chin;  a  gland  and  duct  between 

hoofs;  false  hoofs  present;  tail  long Ovis,  591. 

bb.  Nose  naked  at  tip  and  very  broad ;  horns  curved,  the  base  directed  out- 
wards; hoofs  broad;  tail  long;  forehead  broader  than  long;  body 
highest  at  shoulders;  anterior  parts  with  a  long,  shaggy  mane. 

BISON,  592. 

590.  ANTILOCAPRA  Ord.     (Antilope  -f-  Capra.) 

1118.  A.  americana  (Ord).    PRONG-HORN.    CABREE.    ROCKY 
MOUNTAIN  "  ANTELOPE."     Yellowish  brown,  marked  with  brown 
and  white.     L.  about  5  feet.     T.  7  inches.     Height  3  feet.     Dak. 
to  Tex.  and  W. 

591.  OVIS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  sheep.) 

1119.  O.   montana   Cuvier.    BIG-HORN.     ROCKY  MOUNTAIN 
SHEEP.     Larger  than  a  domestic  sheep;    £  with  immense  horns; 
9  with  smaller  ones.     Grayish  brown.     Dak.  to  Col.  and  W. 

592.  BISON  Audubon  &  Bachman.     (Lat.,  a  wild  ox  or  buffalo.) 

1120.  B.  bison  (L.).     BUFFALO.     BISON.     Brown  ;  the  snout, 
hoofs,  horns,  etc.,  black.     U.  S.  generally  ;  formerly  abundant,  but 
now  extinct,  except  a  few  herds  in  the  Yellowstone  region. 

ORDER  LIII.    FER^E.     (THE  FLESH-EATERS  OR  CARNI- 

VORA.) 

Canine  teeth  distinct,  conical ;  molars  more  or  less  adapted  for 
cutting ;  clavicles  imperfect  or  wanting  ;  toes  provided  with  claws ; 
skin  covered  with  hair  or  fur ;  alimentary  canal  short.  General 
structure  in  accordance  with  the  predatory  life  led  by  all  these 
animals.  (Lat.,/erus,  a  wild  beast ;  the  name  Ferce  of  Linnaeus,  is 
much  older  than  Carnivora.) 

Families  of  Ferae. 

a.  Limbs  short,  unfitted  for  walking,  the  toes  united  in  a  flat  paddle,  from 
which  only  the  claws  project:  tail  very  short;  eyes  very  large;  incisors 
often  less  than  {•.     (Pinnipedia.) 
b.  Hind  limbs  directed  backwards,  used  only  in  swimming;  claws  strong; 

neck  short PHOCID^;,  197. 

aa.  Limbs  fitted  for  walking,  the  toes  distinct;  incisors  §.     (Fissipedia.) 
b.  Hind  feet  with  5  toes. 

c.  Feet  fully  plantigrade;  sectorial  teeth  and  the  molars  behind  them  all 
tuberculate. 

22 


338  MAMMALIA:  FER^E.  —  LIII. 

d.  Tail  well  developed;  body  rather  slender,  the  snout  sharp. 

PROCYONID^E,  198. 
dd.  Tail  rudimentary  ;  body  very  robust;  snout  not  acuminate. 

URSID^E,  199. 

cc.  Feet  sub-plantigrade  or  digitigrade;  only  one  tuberculate  molar,  the 
sectorial  premolar  of  typical  form  .......    MUSTELID^K,  200. 

bb.  Hind  feet  with  4  toes. 

e.  Teeth  42;  claws  not  retractile;  snout  more  or  less  produced. 


ee.  Teeth  28  to  30  ;   claws  retractile  into  a  sheath  ;  snout  short,  the 
head  broad  .............    FELTD.E,  202. 

FAMILY  CXCVII.    PHOCID^J.1     (THE  EARLESS  SEALS.) 

Seals  with  the  fore-limbs  well  forward  ;  neck  short  ;  hind  limbs 
directed  backward,  useless  on  land  ;  hand  and  foot  hairy  ;  nails 
usually  well  developed  ;  no  external  ear.  Other  characters  further 
distinguishing  these  seals  from  the  Fur  Seals  and  Sea-Lions  (Ota- 
riidce),  and  the  Walruses  (Rosmaridce),  are  drawn  from  the  skele- 
ton. Genera  11,  species  17,  found  on  most  coasts,  swimming  freely 
in  the  water  and  feeding  chiefly  on  fishes,  resting  and  sunning  in 
the  rocks  on  the  shore. 

a.  Incisors  usually  i:f;   interorbital  region  very  narrow;  nails  of  all  digits 

well-developed;  (other  characters  drawn  from  the  skull).     (Phocince.) 
b.  Snout  narrow;  incisors  simple,  conical  .......    PHOCA,  593. 

593.  PHOCA  Linnaeus.     (</>O>KT;,  seal.) 

1121.  P.  vitulina  L.  HARBOR  SEAL.  Yellowish  gray,  usually 
blotched  with  darker  ;  variable.  L.  3  to  5  feet  ;  weight  50  to  65 
pounds.  Northern  shores,  S.  to  N.  J.,  common  N.  (Lat.,  calf- 
like.)  (Eu.)  Several  other  seals  occur  1ST.  of  Newfoundland. 

FAMILY  CXCVIII.    PROCYONIDuE.     (THE  RACCOONS.) 

Plantigrade  Carnivora  of  moderate  size,  with  the  body  compara- 
tively slender  and  the  tail  well  developed.  Teeth  i.  f  :|  ;  c.  %:\  ; 
pm.  |:|  ;  m.  |:|  =  40.  Sectorial  tooth  broad,  tubercular.  Snout 
more  or  less  elongated  ;  no  caecum.  Genera  2,  —  Nasua  of  Mexico, 
and  the  following,  all  American. 

a.  Tail  not  prehensile;  snout  moderate,  not  flexible.    .     .     .    PROCYON,  594. 
594.  PROCYON  Storr.     (npoKvav,  before  the  dog.) 


1122.  P  lotor  (L.).  COMMON  RACCOON.  Grayish  white  ;  hairs 
black-tipped  ;  tail  with  black  rings  ;  a  black  cheek-patch  ;  body 
rarely  entirely  black.  L.  33.  T.  10£.  U.  S.,  abundant.  (Lat., 
washer.) 

1  For  a  full  account  of  the  seals,  see  Allen's  admirable  "Monograph  of  the  Pinni- 
pedes."  1880. 


UKSID^E.  —  CXCIX.  339 

FAMILY  CXCIX.    URSID^E.     (THE  BEARS.) 

Plantigrade  Carnivora  having  the  body  thick  and  clumsy.  Tail 
rudimentary.  Teeth  42  ;  molars  broad  and  tuberculated,  accord- 
ing with  the  omnivorous  diet.  Genera  5  ;  species  few  and  widely 
distributed,  —  in  North  America,  there  are  probably  but  three, 
although  many  have  been  described,  the  Polar  Bear,  Thalarctos 
maritimus,  and  the  following. 

a.  Snout  depressed,  so  that  the  profile  does  not  form  a  straight  line ;  soles  not 
fully  furred;  claws  moderate UKSUS,  595. 

595.  URSTJS  Linnaeus.     (Lat,  bear.) 

1123.  U.  americanus  Pallas.     BROWN,  BLACK  OR  CINNAMON 
BEAR.    Color  black  or  brownish,  exceedingly  variable,  a  fact  which 
has  given  rise  to  numerous  nominal  species,  but  the  several  forms  or 
varieties  intergrade  perfectly.    N.  Am.,  abundant,  where  not  exter- 
minated. 

1124.  U.  horribilis  *  Ord.     GRIZZLY  BEAR.     Grizzly  gray  or 
brownish.     Largest  of  the  bears,  reaching  a  length  of  9  feet  and  a 
weight  of  800  Ibs.     Neb.  to  Cal.,  in  the  mountains.     Very  near  the 
European  bear,  U.  arctos  L.  but  larger. 

FAMILY  CC.    MUSTELIDuE.     (THE  WEASELS.) 

Carnivora  either  plantigrade  or  digitigrade,  with  the  toes  5-5. 
Molars  ^|  (rarely  ^)  ;  the  upper  and  the  last  lower  one  tubercular ; 
sectorial  premolar  without  tubercles  ;  no  caacum.  Most  species  pro- 
vided with  glands  near  the  anus  which  secrete  a  fetid  liquid.  Some 
are  strictly  carnivorous  while  others  are  rather  omnivorous.  Size, 
usually  median  or  small.  Mustelidce  are  found  in  all  parts  of  the 
earth  excepting  the  Australian  region.  Some  of  the  species  are 
aquatic,  and  one  (Euhydris,  the  Sea  Otter)  presents  numerous 
analogies  with  the  Seals. 

a.  Skull  with  the  cerebral  portion  swollen  backwards  and  outwards,  the  snout 
short,  high  and  truncate  forwards;  toes  webbed,  the  feet  adapted  for 

swimming ;  teeth  36.    Aquatic.     (Lutrince.) LUTRA,  596. 

em.  Skull  with  the  cerebral  portjpn  posteriorly  somewhat  compressed,  the 
snout  produced,  attenuate  and  transversely  convex  above;  feet  scarcely 
webbed;  mostly  not  aquatic. 
b.  Auditory  bulla  little  inflated,  constricted ;  last  upper  molar  above  quad- 

1  "  Coward,  —  of  heroic  size 
In  .whose  lazy  muscles  lies 
Strength  we  fear  and  yet  despise  ; 
Savage,  whose  relentless  tusks 
Are  content  with  acorn  husks ; 
Robber,  whose  exploits  ne'er  soared 
O'er  the  bee's  or  squirrel's  hoard  ; 
Whiskered  chin  and  feeble  nose, 
Claws  of  steel  on  baby's  toes."    (Bret  Harte. ) 


340  MAMMALIA  :   FER^E.  —  LIII. 

rangular,  very  large,  with  an  outer  cutting  ridge ;  claws  non-retractile ; 
fore-claws  lengthened,  fossorial.     (Mephitince.) 
c.  Teeth  34;  tail  long  and  bushy;  anal  secretion  very  strong-scented. 

MEPHITIS,  597. 
bb.  Auditory  bulla  much  inflated,  not  constricted. 

d.  Last  molar  of  upper  jaw  enlarged,  sub-triangular ;  toes  straight,  with 

long,  non-retractile  claws.     (Melince.) 

e.  Body  robust;  tail  very  short;  teeth  32.       .    .     .    TAXIDEA,  598. 
dd.  Last  molar  of  upper  jaw  short,  transverse;  toes  short,  arched,  the 

claws  retractile.     (Mustelines.) 
f.  Feet  sub-plantigrade;   body  stout;   tail  very  full  and  bushy; 

teeth  38 GULO,  599. 

ff.  Feet  digitigrade;  body  slender. 

g.  Teeth  38 ;  sectorial  tooth  with  an  internal  tubercle. 

MUSTELA,  600. 
gg.  Teeth  34 ;  sectorial  tooth  without  internal  tubercle. 

PUTORIUS,  601. 

596.  LUTRA  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  otter.) 

1125.  L.  hudsonica  (Lacepede).     AMERICAN  OTTER.     Liver- 
brown.     L.  45.     T.  15.     N".  Am.,  aquatic.     (Mustela  canadensis 
Turton,  not  of  Schreber.) 

597.  MEPHITIS  Cuvier.     (Lat.,  a  bad  odor.) 
a.  Skull  not  depressed,  its  upper  outline  irregularly  convex.     (Mephitis.) 

1126.  M.  mephitica  (Shaw).    COMMON  SKUNK.    Usually  black, 
with  tip  of  tail,  dorsal  stripes  and  nuchal  patch  white;  sometimes 
all  black  or  even  nearly  all  white.     L.  28.     T.  9.     Hudson's  Bay 
to  Mexico,  abundant,  its  odor  "  mephitic  "  beyond  comparison. 

aa.  Skull  depressed,  its  upper  outline  nearly  straight.     (Spilogale  Gray.) 

1127.  M.  putorius  (L.).      LITTLE  STRIPED  SKUNK.     Black, 
with    white    patch    on    forehead ;    four   parallel    dorsal    stripes, 
broken  behind ;    tail  black,  with  white  pencil  at  tip.      Size  very 
small.     L.  15.     T.  4.     Wis.    (Hoy)  to  Ga.,  and  S.  W.     (Lat, 
ill-scented.) 

598.  TAXIDEA  Waterhouse.     (Taxus,  a  related  genus  ; 
flSos,  form.) 

1128.  T.  americana(Boddaert).    AMERICAN  BADGER.    Chiefly 
grayish.    L.  27.    T.  5.    Wis.  to  Tex.  and  W.,  formerly  E.  to  Ohio. 

599.  GULO  Storr.     (Lat.,  glutton.) 

1129.  G.  gulo  (L.).     WOLVERENE.     Blackish;  a  pale  lateral 
band  meeting  its  fellow  above  root  of  tail ;    forehead  pale ;    fur 
shaggy.     L.  30.     T.  8.     N.  Y.  to  Col.  and  N.     (Eu.) 

600.  MUSTELA  Linnseus.     (Lat.,  weasel.) 

1130.  M.  americana  Turton.    SABLE.    PINE  MARTEN.    Brown, 
not  darker  below  than  above,  usually  a  tawny  throat-patch.      Ears 
high,  sub-triangular.     L.  24.     T.  8.    Me.  to  Ore.,  and  N. 


—  CGI.  341 

1131.  M.  pennant!  (Erxleben).    PEKAN.    BLACK  CAT.    Black- 
ish, paler  anteriorly,  darkest  below ;  no  throat-patch  ;  ears  low,  semi- 
circular.     L.  35.      T.  14.     Penn.  to  Hudson's  Bay,  and  W.     (To 
Thomas  Pennant,  author  of  Arctic  Zoology.) 

601.  PUTORIUS  Cuvier.     (Lat.,  putor,  a  bad  odor.) 

a.  Species  of  large  size  (length  to  base  of  tail  over  12). 
b.  Toes  somewhat  webbed ;  pads  of  palm  coalescent;  tail  bushy;  ears  low. 
(Lutreola  Wagner). 

1132.  P.  vison  (Schreber).     MINK.     Dark  chestnut-brown,  uni- 
form or  varied  with  whitish  below.     L.  28.      T.  8.      N.  Am. ;  com- 
mon, aquatic.     (Lat.,  a  scout.) 

bb.  Toes  not  webbed;  pads  of  palm  separate;  tail  short,  slender;  ears  high, 
round.    ( Cynomyonax  Coues.) 

1133.  P.  nigripes  Audubon  &  Bachman.     BLACK-FOOTED  FER- 
RET.     Pale  brown;  feet,  tip  of  tail  and  bar  across  face  black.      L. 
23.      T.  4.      Neb.  and  W.,  in  "  Prairie-dog  towns,"  feeding  on  the 
rodents.    An  allied  species  is  the  European  Ferret,  P.  putorius  L., 
trained  to  hunt  rats.     (Lat.,  black-foot.) 

aa.  Species  of  small  size  (length  to  base  of  tail  less  than  12);  body  attenuate; 
neck  long;  ears  conspicuous,  orbicular;  tail  slender;  toes  cleft;  pads  on 
feet  separate ;  coloration  bicolor,  reddish  brown,  yellowish  or  white  below, 
the  fur  usually  becoming  snow-white  in  winter.     ( Gale  Wagner.) 
c.  Tail  black  at  tip. 

1134.  P.   longicauda   Bonaparte.      LONG-TAILED    WEASEL. 
Belly  tawny  or  salmon-yellow ;  black  tip  of  tail  reduced  to  a  ter- 
minal pencil.     L.  16J.     T.  6.     Minn,  to  Ariz,  and  N. 

1135.  P.  ermiiiea  (L.).    WEASEL.     ERMINE.     STOAT.     Belly 
sulphur-yellow  ;  black  of  tail  not  confined  to  tip ;  fur  snow-white  in 
winter.     L.  11.     T.  3.     Northern  regions,  S.  to  Kan.,  common  N. 
(Eu.)     (From  ermine.) 

cc.  Tail  pointed,  scarcely  black  at  tip. 

1136.  P   nivalis    (L.).     LEAST    WEASEL.     Mahogany-brown, 
white,  rarely  yellowish  below ;    white  in  winter.      L.   10.      T.  2. 
Northern  regions,  S.  to  Penn.     (Lat.,  snow-white.)     (Eu.} 

FAMILY  CCI.    CANID^E.     (THE  DOGS.) 

Digitigrade  Carnivora  with  blunt,  non-retractile  claws ;  toes  5-4. 
Muzzle  more  or  less  elongated.  Dentition  typically  i.  |cf ;  c.  ^  ; 
pm.  |:| ;  m.  |;f  =  42  ;  canines  large,  rather  blunt.  Genera  about 
5.  Species  widely  distributed,  all  of  them  more  or  less  dog-like  or 
fox-like  in  habit. 

aa.  Pupil  elliptical;  tail  long  and  bushy;  upper  incisors  scarcely  lobed;  body 

rather  slender. 
b.  Tail  with  soft  fur  and  long  hair ;  muzzle  long.       .     .    .    VULPES,  602. 


342  MAMMALIA:  FER.E.  —  LIII. 

bb.  Tail  with  a  concealed  mane  of  stiff  hairs,  and  without  soft  fur;  muzzle 

shorter UKOCYON,  603. 

aa.  Pupil  circular;  tail  moderate;  upper  incisors  distinctly  lobed.    CANIS,  604. 

602.  VULPES  Brisson.     (Lat.,  fox.) 

1137.  V.  vulpes  (L.).     RED  Fox.     Chiefly  reddish  gray,  with 
black  feet  and  ears;  tip  of  tail  white.     The  American  form  is  var. 
fulvus  (Desmarest).     The  Cross  Fox  is  var.  decussatus  Desm., 
with  a  dark  cross  on  back  ;  the  Black  or  Silver  Fox  is  var.  argen- 
tatus  Shaw.      These  forms  fully  intergrade  with  the  Common  Fox. 
L.  45.     T.  15.     Northern  regions,  S.  to  Texas.     (Eu.) 

1138.  V.  velox  Say.     KIT  Fox.     Smaller,  with  closer  fur ;  yel- 
lowish gray,  ears  not  black.     L.  33.     T.  9.     Iowa  to  Ore.     (Lat., 
swift.) 

603.  UROCYON  Baird.     (ovpo,  tail ;  KVUV,  dog.) 

1139.  U.  cinereo-argentatus  (Schreber).    GRAY  Fox.    Chiefly 
gray ;  fur  dusky  or  tawny,  hairs  hoary  at  tip ;  tip  of  tail  usually 
dark.      L.  40.      T.  14.      Penn.  to  Texas  and  S.  W.      (Lat.,  ashy- 
silvery.) 

604.  CANIS  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  dog.) 

1140.  C.  latrans  Say.     COYOTE.    PRAIRIE  WOLF.    Yellowish 
gray,  clouded  with  black  ;  fur  coarse;  snout  sharp.    L.  55.    T.  11. 
Wis.  to  Texas  and  W.,  common  on  the  plains,  burrowing  in  the 
ground.     A  vagabond  dog-like  animal,  "  half  bold  and  half  timid, 
yet  lazy  all  through."     (Lat.,  barking.) 

1141.  C.  lupus  L.     WOLF.    Color  exceedingly  variable  ;  chiefly 
gray,  becoming  whitish  northward  (var.  occidentalis),  southward  more 
and  more  blackish  and  reddish,  till  in  Florida  black  wolves  (var.  ater 
Richardson)  predominate,  and  in  Texas  red  ones  (var.  rufus  Aud. 
&  Bach.),  while  on  the  plains  is  the  dusky  wolf  (var.  nubilus  Say). 
L.  65.     T.  15.     Northern   regions,  common  where  not   extermi- 
nated.   Allied  to  the  wolf,  or  perhaps  descended  from  it,  and  more 
or  less  mixed  with  other  Canidce  is  the  Dog,  Canis  familiaris  L. 
(Eu.) 

FAMILY  CCII.    PBLIDJE.     (THE  CATS.) 

Digitigrade  Carnivora  with  the  toes  5-4  ;  claws  compressed,  very 
sharp,  retractile ;  palms  and  soles  hairy,  with  naked  pads  under 
each  toe  and  the  ball  of  the  foot.  Body  compact ;  head  short,  broad 
and  rounded.  Dentition  i.  |:f ;  c.  {:{  ;  pm.  f-f  or  |:| ;  m.  \:\  =  30 
or  28  ;  canine  teeth  long  and  sharp  ;  teeth  all  strongly  trenchant ; 
tongue  with  short,  retrorse  papillae.  General  aspect  cat-like.  Spe- 
cies about  50,  found  in  all  parts  of  the  world  excepting  Australia 
and  its  islands,  "  the  fiercest,  strongest  and  most  terrible  of  beasts," 
"  brave  when  hungry  and  in  the  dark,  cowardly  or  lazy  in  the  day- 


FELID.E.  —  CCII.  343 

time,  and  magnanimous  when  not  in  need  of  food."  The  Common 
House  Cat,  Felis  domesticus  Schreber,  one  of  the  smallest  of  the 
Felidce,  is  a  familiar  representative  of  the  group. 

a.  Premolars  |:|,  (anterior  upper  one  wanting) ;  tail  less  than  half  length  of 
body  proper;  ears  triangular,  tufted LYNX,  605. 

aa.  Premolars  f:ij,  anterior  upper  one  very  small ;  tail  at  least  half  as  long  as 
the  body  (exclusive  of  head  and  neck);  fur  compact  and  glossy;  ears 
not  tufted FELIS,  606. 

605.  LYNX  Rafinesque.     (Xvy£,  a  wild  cat.) 

1142.  L.  canadensis  (Desmarest).    CANADA  LYNX.    Feet  very- 
large,  densely  furred  beneath  in  winter,  concealing  the  small,  naked 
patches.     Grayish  hoary,  waved  with  black  ;  tail  black  at  tip  ;  no 
distinct  bars  on  inner  side  of  legs ;  larger  than  the  next,  with  larger 
feet  and  longer  fur.     L.  39.     T.  4£.     K  Am. 

1143.  L.  rufus  (Guldenstadt).     AMERICAN  WILD  CAT.     Red- 
dish, overlaid  by  grayish  ;  inner  sides  of  legs  with  dark  cross-bands ; 
tail  with  a  black  patch  at  end  above,  preceded  by  half  rings.    L.  35. 
T.  7.     NT.  Am. 

606.  FELIS  Linnaeus.     CATS.     (Lat.,  cat.) 

1144.  F.  concolor  L.    AMERICAN  PANTHER.  COUGAR.  PUMA. 

Above  tawny  brownish  yellow  ;  a  wash  of  darker  along  dorsal  line ; 
dirty  white  below  ;  kittens  spotted,  their  tails  ringed  ;  larger  than 
a  sheep.  L.  90.  T.  32.  America,  N.  to  Canada.  (Lat.,  one- 
color.) 

ORDER  LIV.    PRIMATES.    (THE  ANTHROPOID  MAMMALS.) 

Both  limbs  nearly  or  quite  outside  of  the  common  integument  of 
the  body ;  ringers  and  toes  usually  5,  the  thumb  sometimes  wanting, 
when  present  opposable  to  the  others  ;  great  toe  with  a  depressed 
nail ;  teeth  various,  usually  with  distinct  incisors,  canines  and  mo- 
lars ;  clavicles  completely  developed ;  shoulders  distinct,  well-sep- 
arated ;  brain  large,  the  cerebrum  and  cerebellum  highly  developed ; 
parts  of  the  brain  well  differentiated.  Mammae  pectoral,  except  in 
some  lemurs.  A  large  and  varied  order,  the  highest  among  animals, 
comprising  men,  apes,  baboons,  monkeys,  and  lemurs.  The  lemurs 
diverge  in  many  respects  from  the  other  primates,  and  should  per- 
haps stand  as  a  separate  order  (Prosimii).  The  structural  pecu- 
liarities of  man  are  not  numerous,  and  are  mostly  correlated  with 
the  great  development  of  the  brain,  the  chief  peculiarity  character- 
istic of  the  Hominidce.  (Lat.,  p?'imatus,  the  chief  place.) 

Families  of  Primates. 

a.  Hair  on  body  little  developed,  except  in  certain  specialized  areas;  body 
erect  in  locomotion;  great  toe  not  opposable;  dentition  i.  \\  c.  j;  pm.  f; 
m.  §  on  each  side;  no  gaps  between  the  teeth.  .  .  .  HOMINIDCE,  203. 


344  MAMMALIA  :  PRIMATES.  —  LIV. 


FAMILY  CCIII.    HOMINID^J.     (THE  MEN.) 

The  most  prominent  characters  of  the  Hominidce  are  "  derived 
from  the  distribution  of  hair  on  the  body,  which  is  subject  to  wide 
modification  in  the  different  races,  from  the  fact  that  locomotion  is 
easiest  in  the  erect  posture,  owing  to  the  relative  shortness  of  the 
arms ;  from  the  greater  length  and  mobility  of  the  thumb  and  the 
comparative  immobility  of  the  great  toe.  Well-marked  skeletal 
peculiarities  are  the  possession  of  12  rib-bearing  vertebrae,  the 
rounded  skull  in  which  the  muscular  ridges  are  little  prominent, 
and  the  great  capacity  of  the  cranium.  This  is,  of  course,  in 
adaptation  to  the  relatively  enormous  development  of  the  cerebral 
hemispheres,  which  much  exceed  in  bulk  those  of  other  primates 
and  to  which  man  owes  his  specific  name."  It  is  apparent  that  dif- 
ferent races  have  arrived  at  different  stages  of  evolution  in  the 
development  of  the  brain,  "  as  well  as  in  the  employment  of  articu- 
late speech,  to  which  man  owes  the  power  of  transmitting  to  others 
the  results  of  his  experience  and  his  position  as  the  '  highest  ani- 
mal.' "  (R.  Ramsay  Wright.}  As  usually  understood,  this  family 
contains  but  a  single  species,  cosmopolitan,  and  highly  variable. 

607.  HOMO  Linnaeus.     (Lat.,  man.) 

1145.  H.  sapiens  L.  MAN.  This  species  is  now  split  up  into 
many  sub-species  or  races,  the  native  man  of  this  continent,  or 
"American  Indian,"  being  var.  americanus  L.  Other  races  now 
naturalized  in  America  are  the  Caucasian  race,  var.  europaeus  L., 
the  Mongolian  race,  var.  asiaticus  L.,  and  the  Negro  race,  var.  afer 
L.  The  first  of  these  is  an  immigrant  from  Europe,  the  second 
from  Asia,  and  the  third  was  brought  hither  from  Africa  by  repre- 
sentatives of  var.  europceus  to  be  used  as  slaves.  The  wild  man,  or 
typical  var.  sapiens,  as  described  by  Linnaeus  ("  Homo  diurnus  : 
varians  cultura,  loco,  tetrapus,  mutus,  hirsutus  "),  seems  to  be  now 
extinct.  (Lat.,  knowing.)  (Eu.) 

"  Sic  vivimus  ut  immortales  et  morimur  ut  mortales"     (Seneca.) 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 


Abdomen.    Belly. 

Abdominal.  Pertaining  to  the  belly,  —  said  of  the  ventral  fins  of  fishes 
when  inserted  considerably  behind  the  pectorals,  the  pelvic  bones 
to  which  the  ventral  fins  are  attached  having  no  connection  with 
the  shoulder  girdle. 

Abortive.    Remaining  or  becoming  imperfect. 

Acuminate.     Tapering  gradually  to  a  point. 

Acute.     Sharp-pointed. 

Adipose  Jin.  A  peculiar,  fleshy,  fin-like  projection  behind  the  dorsal 
fin,  on  the  backs  of  Salmons,  Cat  Fishes,  etc. 

Adult.    A  mature  animal. 

^Egithognathous.    Having  the  peculiar  palate  of  Passerine  birds. 

Air-bladder.  A  sac  filled  with  air,  lying  beneath  the  back-bone  of 
fishes,  corresponding  to  the  lungs  of  the  higher  vertebrates. 

Allantois.    An  organ  of  the  embryo. 

Altrices.  Birds  hatched  in  an  immature  condition,  reared  in  the  nest 
and  fed  by  the  parents. 

Altricial.     Having  the  nature  of  Altrices. 

Alula.  The  feathers  attached  to  the  "  thumb  "  (rather  the  "  index  fin- 
ger ")  of  a  bird. 

Alveolar  surface.  A  portion  of  the  jaw  of  a  turtle,  where  the  teeth- 
sockets  (alveola)  are  developed  in  other  reptiles. 

Amnion.     An  organ  of  the  embryo. 

Ampldcozlian.     Double  concave,  —  said  of  vertebrae. 

Anadromous.  Running  up, —  said  of  marine  fishes  which  run  up  rivers 
to  spawn. 

Anal.     Pertaining  to  the  anus  or  vent. 

Anal  Jin.    The  fin  on  the  median  line,  behind  the  vent,  in  fishes. 

Anal  plate.  The  plate,  immediately  in  front  of  the  vent,  in  serpents, 
often  divided  in  two  by  a  median  suture. 

Anchylosed.     Grown  firmly  together. 

Anteorbital  plate.  The  plate  (one  or  two)  in  front  of  the  eye  in  ser- 
pents, with  its  longest  diameter  vertical ;  also  called  preocular. 

Antrorse.     Turned  forwards. 

Anus.    The  external  opening  of  the  intestines ;  the  vent. 


346        GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 

Arboreal.    Living  in  trees. 

Arterial  bulb.    The  muscular  swelling,  at  the  base  of  the  great  artery, 

in  fishes. 

Articulate.     Jointed. 
Artiodaotylous.     Even-toed  (toes  2  or  4). 
Atrophy.    Non-development. 
Attenuate.    Long  and  slender,  as  if  drawn  out. 
Auricle.    The  large  lobe  of  the  external  ear ;  also,  one  of  the  chambers 

of  the  heart. 
Barbel.    An  elongated  fleshy  projection,  usually  about  the  head,  in 

fishes. 

Basal.    Pertaining  to  the  base  ;  at  or  near  the  base. 
Basipterygoid.     Bones  developed  in  the  palatine  arch  in  some  birds. 
Beak.     The  bill  of  birds,  or  (in  other  animals)  any  beak-like  structure. 
Bend  of  Wing.     Angle  at  the  carpus  when  the  wing  is  folded. 
Bicolor.     Two-colored. 
Bicuspid.     Having  two  points. 
Booted.     Said  of  the  tarsus  in  birds,  when  its  scales  coalesce  and  form 

a  continuous  envelope,  as  in  the  robin. 
Branchice.     Gills  ;  respiratory  organs  of  fishes. 
Branchial.     Pertaining  to  the  gills. 
Branchihyals.     Small  bones  at  base  of  gill  arches. 
Branchiosteyals.     The  bony  rays  supporting  the  branchiostegal  mem- 
branes, under  the  head  of  a  fish,  below  the  opercular  bones,  and 

behind  the  lower  jaw. 
Bristle.    A  stiff  hair,  or  hair-like  feather. 
Buccal.    Pertaining  to  the  mouth. 
Caducous.     Falling  off  early. 
Ccecal.     Of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac. 
Caecum.     An  appendage  of  the  form  of  a  blind  sac,  connected  with  the 

alimentary  canal. 

Calcareous.     Containing  or  composed  of  carbonate  of  lime. 
Canines.     The  teeth  behind  the  incisors,  —  the  "  eye-teeth  "  ;  in  fishes, 

any  conical  teeth  in  the  front  part  of  the  jaws,  longer  than  the 

others. 
Carapace.    The  upper  shell  of  a  turtle,  usually  composed  of  bony  plates 

covered  by  horny  scales. 

Cardiform  (teeth).     Teeth  coarse  and  sharp,  like  wool-cards. 
Carinate.     Keeled;  having  a  ridge  along  the  middle  line. 
Carotid.     The  great  artery  running  to  the  head. 
Carpus.     The  wrist. 
Caudal.     Pertaining  to  the  tail. 
Caudal  fin.     The  fin  on  the  tail  of  fishes  and  whales. 
Caudal  peduncle.     The  region  between  the  anal  and  caudal   fins  in 

fishes. 
Cavernous.     Containing  cavities,  either  empty  or  filled  with  a  mucous 

secretion. 
Cephalic  fins.    Fins  on  the  head  of  certain  rays  ;  a  detached  portion  of 

the  pectoral. 


GLOSSAKY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS.        347 

Cere.    Fleshy,  cutaneous,  or  membranous  covering  of  the  base  of  the 

bill  in  certain  birds,  particularly  the  Owls,  Hawks,  and  Parrots. 
Cervical.    Pertaining  to  the  neck. 
Chiasma.     Crossing  of  the  fibres  of  the  optic  nerve. 
Chin.     The  space  between  the  rami  of  the  lower  jaw. 
Ciliated.    Fringed  with  eye-lash-like  projections. 
Cirri.     Fringes. 
Claspers.    Organs  attached  to  the  ventral  fins  in  the  male  of  sharks, 

skates,  etc. 
Clavicle.    The  collar  bone,  or  lower  anterior  part  of  shoulder  girdle, 

not  entering  into  socket  of  arm. 

Cloaca.    A  common  opening  of  genital,  urinary,  and  alimentary  canals. 
Commissure.     The  line  on  which  the  mandibles  of  a  bird  are  closed. 
Compressed.    Flattened  laterally. 
Condyle.    Articulating  surface  of  a  bone. 
Conirostral.    Said  of  a  bill  like  that  of  a  Sparrow ;  conical  in  form  and 

with  the  commissure  angulated. 

Coracoid.     The  principal  bone  of  the  shoulder  girdle  in  fishes ;  other- 
wise a  bone  or  cartilage  on  the  ventral  side,  helping  to  form  the 
arm-socket, 
Costal  folds.    Folds  of  the  skin  (of  a  Salamander)  showing  the  position 

of  the  ribs  (costae). 

Coverts.     Small  feathers  hiding  the  bases  of  quills. 
Crest.    In  birds,  any  lengthened  feathers  about  the  head ;  elsewhere, 

any  elevated  or  crest-like  projection. 
Crissum.     The  under  tail  coverts,  in  birds. 
Ctenoid.    Rough- edged,  said  of  scales  when  the  posterior  margin  is 

minutely  spinous  or  pectinated. 

Culmen.     The  middle  line  or  ridge  of  the  upper  mandible  in  birds. 
Cuneate.     Wedge-shaped  ;  said  of  a  bird's  tail  when  the  middle  feath- 
ers are  longest  and  the  rest  regularly  shorter. 
Cycloid.     Smooth-edged ;  said  of  scales  not  ctenoid,  but  concentrically 

striate. 

Deciduous.     Temporary  ;  falling  off. 
Decurved.    Curved  downward. 
Dentary.    The  principal  or  anterior  bone  of  the  lower  jaw,  usually 

bearing  the  teeth. 
Dentate.     With  tooth-like  notches. 
Denticle.     A  little  tooth. 

Dentirostral.     Having  the  bill  notched  near  its  tip. 
Depressed.     Flattened  vertically. 

Depth.     Vertical  diameter  (usually  of  the  body  of  fishes). 
Dermal.     Pertaining  to  the  skin. 
Desmognathous.     United  palate,  as  hi  the  lower  water-birds   (Loons, 

Gulls,  etc.). 

Diaphanous.     Translucent. 

Diaphragm.    Muscular  septum  between  thorax  and  abdomen. 
Diapophi/sis.    Transverse  process  of  a  vertebra. 
Dirjitigrade.     Walking  on  the  toes,  like  a  dog. 


348  GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TEHMS. 

Distal.    Remote  from  point  of  attachment. 

Dorsal.    Pertaining  to  the  back. 

Dorsal  Jin.     The  fin  on  the  back  of  fishes. 

Emarginate.    Slightly  forked  or  notched  at  the  tip ;  abruptly  narrowed 

or  notched  toward  the  tip  (said  of  quills). 
Endoskeleton.    The  skeleton  proper,  —  the  inner  bony  framework  of  the 

body. 

Epignathous.     Upper  mandible  hooked  over  tip  of  lower. 
Erectile.     Susceptible  of  being  raised  or  erected. 
Eustachian  tubes.    Tubes  connecting  the  inner  ear  with  the  pharynx. 
Even  (tail).     Having  all  the  feathers  of  equal  length. 
Exoskeleton.    Hard  parts  (scales,  scutes,  feathers,  hairs)  on  the  surface 

of  the  body. 

Exserted.     Projecting  beyond  the  general  level. 
Extra-limital.     Beyond  the  limits  (of  this  book). 
Facial.    Pertaining  to  the  face. 
Falcate.     Scythe-shaped ;  long,  narrow,  and  curved. 
Falciform.    Curved,  like  a  scythe. 

Fauna.    The  animals  inhabiting  any  region,  taken  collectively. 
Femoral.    Pertaining  to  the  femur,  or  proximal  bone  of  the  hinder  leg. 
Fibula.     The  small  outer  leg  bone. 
Filament.    Any  slender  or  thread-like  structure. 
Filiform.    Thread-form. 
Fissirostral.     Having  the  bill  very  deeply  cleft,  beyond  the  base  of  the 

horny  part,  as  in  the  Swallows. 

Fontanelle.    An  unossified  space  on  top  of  head  covered  with  mem- 
brane. 

Foramen.    A  hole  or  opening. 
Forehead.    Frontal  curve  of  head. 
Forficate.    Deeplj7  forked ;  scissors-like. 
Fossfe  (nasal).     Grooves  in  which  the  nostrils  open. 
Fossorial.     Adapted  for  digging. 
Frontal  bone.    Anterior  bone  of  top  of  head. 
Fulcra.    Rudimentary  spine-like  projections  extending  on  the  anterior 

rays  of  the  fins  of  ganoid  fishes. 
Furcate.     Forked. 
Fusiform.    Spindle-shaped ;  tapering  toward  both  ends  but  rather  more 

abruptly  forward. 
Ganglion.     A  nerve  centre. 

Ganoid.     Scales  or  plates  of  bone  covered  by  enamel. 
Gape.     Opening  of  the  mouth. 
Gastrosteges.    Band-like  plates  along  the  belly  of  a  serpent ;  ventral 

plates. 

Gills.    Organs  for  breathing  the  air  contained  in  water. 
Gill  arches.     The  bony  arches  to  which  the  gills  are  attached. 
Gill  openings.     Openings  leading  to  or  from  the  branchiae. 
GUI  rakers.    A  series  of  bony  appendages  variously  formed  along  the 

inner  edge  of  the  anterior  gill  arch. 
Glabrous.     Smooth. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TEEMS.        349 

Gonys.     The  middle  line  of  the  lower  mandible. 

Gorget.     Throat  patch  of  peculiar  feathers. 

Graduated  (spines).    Progressively  longer  backward;  the  third  being 

as  much  longer  than  second  as  second  is  longer  than  first. 
Graduated  (tail).    One  in  which  the  outer  feathers  are  regularly  shorter 

from  the  middle. 

Granulate.    Kough  with  small  prominences. 
Gular.    Pertaining  to  the  gula,  or  upper  fore-neck. 
ILnmal  spine.     The  lowermost  spine  of  a  caudal  vertebra,  in  fishes. 
Ilcemopophyses.    Appendages  on  the  lower  side  of  abdominal  vertebras, 

in  fishes. 

Hallux.    The  great  toe,  —  in  birds,  the  hind  toe. 
Height.     Vertical  diameter. 
Heterocercal.     Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish,  when  unequal,  —  the  back-bone 

evidently  running  into  the  upper  lobe. 
Hirsute.     With  shaggy  hairs. 
Homocercal.    Said  of  the  tail  of  a  fish  when  not  evidently  unequal;  the 

back-bone  apparently  stopping  at  the  middle  of  the  base  of  the 

caudal  fin. 

Humerus.     Bone  of  the  upper  arm.  . 
Hyoid.     Pertaining  to  the  tongue. 
Hypognathous.     Having  the  lower  mandible  longer  than  the  upper,  as 

in  the  Black  Skimmer. 

Imbricate.     Overlapping,  like  shingles  on  a  roof. 
Imperforate.     Not  pierced  through. 
Inarticulate.     Not  jointed. 
Incisors.     The  front  or  cutting  teeth. 
Infraoral.     Below  the  mouth. 
Interfemoral  membrane.     The  membrane  connecting  the  posterior  limbs 

of  a  bat. 

Interhamals.    Bones  to  which  anal  rays  are  attached  in  fishes. 
Inter maxiilaries.     The  premaxillaries  ;  the  bones  forming  the  middle 

of  the  front  part  of  the  upper  jaw,  in  fishes. 
Internasals,    Plates  on  the  forehead  of  the  snake  on  the  line  connecting 

the  two  nostrils. 

Intcrneurals.     Bones  to  which  dorsal  rays  are  attached  in  fishes. 
Interopercle.    Membrane  bone  between  the  preopercle  and  the  bronchi- 

ostegals. 

Interorbital.     Space  between  the  eyes. 
Interspinals.    Bones  to  which  fin-rays  are  attached  (in  fishes) ;  inserted 

between  neural  spines  above  and  haemal  spines  below. 
Isocercal  (tail).     Last  vertebrae  progressively    smaller  and  ending  in 

median  line  of  caudal  fin,  as  in  the  Cod-fish. 
Jugular.     Pertaining  to  the  lower  throat,  — said  of  the  ventral  fins, 

when  placed  in  advance  of  the  attachment  of  the  pectorals. 
Keeled.     Having  a  ridge  along  the  middle  line. 
Labials.    Plates  forming  the  lip  of  a  serpent. 
Lamellae.    Plate-like  processes  inside  of  the  bill  of  a  duck. 
Lamellate.     Said  of  a  bill  provided  with  lamellae,  as  in  a  duck. 


350        GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 

Larva.  An  immature  form,  which  must  undergo  change  of  appear- 
ance before  becoming  adult. 

Lateral     To  or  towards  the  side. 

Lateral  line.  A  series  of  muciferous  tubes  forming  a  raised  line  along 
the  sides  of  a  fish. 

Laterally.     Sidewise. 

Lobate.     Furnished  with  membranous  flaps,  —  said  of  the  toes  of  birds. 

Longitudinal.     Running  lengthwise. 

Loral  plate.  Plate  between  eye  and  nostril  of  a  serpent,  before  and 
below  preocular  when  this  is  present ;  its  longest  diameter  hori- 
zontal. 

Lores.     Space  between  eye  and  bill. 

Lunate.  Form  of  the  new  moon ;  having  a  broad  and  rather  shallow 
fork. 

Mammary  glands.     Glands  secreting  milk. 

Mandible.     Under  jaw  (or  in  birds,  either  jaw). 

Maxilla.     Upper  jaw. 

Maxillaries.  Outermost  or  hindmost  bones  of  the  upper  jaw,  in  fishes ; 
they  are  joined  to  the  premaxillaries  in  front,  and  usually  extend 
farther  back  than  the  latter. 

Metacarpus.     The  hand  proper,  exclusive  of  the  fingers. 

Metamorphosis.     A  decided  change  in  form. 

Metatarsus.     The  foot  proper. 

Molars.    The  grinding  teeth ;  posterior  teeth  in  the  jaw. 

Monogamous.     Pairing  ;  said  of  birds. 

Muciferous.     Producing  or  containing  mucus. 

Myocomma.    A  muscular  band. 

Nape.     Upper  part  of  neck,  next  to  the  occiput. 

Nares.    Nostrils,  anterior  and  posterior. 

Nasal.     Pertaining  to  the  nostrils. 

Nasal  plate.     Plate  in  which  the  nostrils  are  inserted. 

Neural  spine.    The  uppermost  spine  of  a  vertebra. 

Nictitating  membrane.  The  third  or  inner  eye-lid,  of  birds,  sharks, 
etc. 

Notochord.  A  cellular  cord,  which  in  the  embryo  precedes  the  verte- 
bral column. 

Nuchal.    Pertaining  to  the  nape  or  nucha. 

Obscure.     Scarcely  visible. 

Obsolete.     Faintly  marked;  scarcely  evident 

Obtuse.     Blunt. 

Occipital.     Pertaining  to  the  occiput. 

Occipital  plates.  Plates  on  the  head  of  a  serpent,  behind  the  vertical 
plate. 

Occiput.    Back  of  the  head. 

Ocellate.  With  eye-like  spots,  generally  roundish  and  with  a  lighter 
border. 

Oid  (suffix).    Like, — as  Percoid,  perch-like. 

Opercle,  or  operculum.  Gill  cover ;  the  posterior  membrane  bone  of  the 
side  of  the  head,  in  fishes. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS.        351 

Opercu/ar  bones.    Membrane  bones  of  the  side  of  the  head,  in  fishes. 
Opercular  flap.    Prolongation  of  the  upper  posterior  angle  of  the  oper- 

cle,  in  Sun-fishes. 
Opisthocoelian.     Concave  behind  only ;  said  of  vertebrae  which  connect 

by  ball  and  socket  joints. 
Orbicular.     Nearly  circular. 
Orbit.     Eye  socket. 
Oscine.     Musical. 
Osseous.     Bony. 

Ossicnla  auditus.     Bones  of  the  ear  in  fishes. 
Osteology.     Study  of  bones. 
Oviparous.     Producing  eggs  which  are  developed  after  exclusion  from 

the  body,  as  in  all  birds. 
Ovoviviparous.    Producing  eggs  which  are  hatched  before  exclusion,  as 

in  the  Dog-fish  and  Garter  Snake. 
Ovum.     Egg. 

Palate.    The  roof  of  the  mouth.  \ 

Palatines.     Membrane  bones  of  thereof  of  mouth;  one  on  each^ide 

extending  outward  and  backward  from  the  vomer. 
Palmate.     Web-footed ;  having  the  anterior  toes  full-webbed. 
Palustrine.     Living  in  swamps. 
Papilla.    A  small,  fleshy  projection. 
Papillose.     Covered  with  papillae. 

Paragnathous.     Having  the  two  mandibles  about  equal  in  length. 
Parasphenoid.     Bone  of  roof  of  mouth  behind  the  vomer. 
Paratoid.     A  glandular  body  behind  the  ear,  in  Batrachians. 
Parietal.     Bone  of  the  side  of  head  above. 
Pectinate.     Having  teeth  like  a  comb. 
Pectoral.     Pertaining  to  the  breast. 
Pectoral  fins.     The  anterior  or  uppermost  of  the  paired  fins,  in  fishes, 

corresponding  to  the  anterior  limbs  of  the  higher  Vertebrates. 
Pelage.    The  hair  of  a  Mammal,  taken  collectively. 
Pelagic.     Living  on  or  in  the  high  seas. 
Pelvis.     The  bones  to  which  the  hinder  limbs  (ventral  fins  in  fishes) 

are  attached. 

Perforate.    Pierced  through  ;  said  of  nostrils  when  without  a  septum. 
Perissodactylous.     Odd-toed  (toes  1,  3,  or  5). 
Peritoneuih.     The  membrane  lining  the  abdominal  cavity. 
Phalanges.     Bones  of  the  fingers  and  toes. 
Pharyngeal  bones.     Bones  behind  the  gills  and  at  the  beginning  of  the 

oesophagus  of  fishes,  of  various  forms,  almost  always  provided 

with  teeth ;  usually  one  pair  below  and  four  pairs  above.     They 

represent  a  fifth  gill-arch. 

Pharyngognathous.     Having  the  lower  pharyngeal  bones  united. 
Physoclistous.     Having  the  air-bladder  closed. 
Physostomous.     Having  the  air-bladder  connected  by  a  tube  with  the 

alimentary  canal. 
Pigment.     Coloring  matter. 
Pineal  body.    A  small  ganglion  in  the  brain ;  a  rudiment  of  an  optic 


352        GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 

lobe,  which  in  certain  lizards  (and  in  extinct  forms)  is  connected 
with  a  third  or  median  eye. 

Pituitary  body.     A  small  ganglion  in  the  brain. 

Planla.     Sole  of  foot. 

Plantigrade.     Walking  on  the  sole  of  the  foot,  as  do  men  and  bears. 

Plastron.    Lower  shell  of  a  turtle. 

Plicate.    Folded  ;  showing  transverse  folds  or  wrinkles. 

Plumage.    The  feathers  of  a  bird,  taken  collectively. 

Plumbeous.     Lead-colored,  —  dull  bluish  gray. 

Pollex.  Thumb ;  in  birds,  the  digit  which  bears  the  alula,  —  corre- 
sponding to  the  index  finger. 

Polygamous.     Mating  with  more  than  one  female. 

Post-frontal  (plates).     The  ones  before  the  vertical  plate. 

Post-orbital.     Behind  the  eye. 

Post-temporal.  The  bone,  in  fishes,  by  which  the  shoulder  girdle  is 
suspended  to  the  cranium. 

Prcecoces.  Birds  able  to  run  about  and  feed  themselves  at  once  when 
hatched. 

Prcecocial.     Having  the  nature  of  Prcecoces. 

Prcecoracoid.  A  portion  of  coracoid  more  or  less  separated  from  the 
rest. 

Prcecoracoid  arch.  An  arch  in  front  of  the  coracoid  in  most  soft-rayed 
fishes. 

Prefrontal  (plates).    Those  in  front  of  post-frontal. 

Premaxillanes.  The  bones,  one  on  either  side,  forming  the  front  of  the 
upper  jaw  in  fishes.  They  are  usually  larger  than  the  maxillaries 
and  commonly  bear  most  of  the  upper  teeth. 

Premolars.  The  small  grinders ;  the  teeth  between  the  canines  and 
the  true  molars. 

Preocular.     Before  the  eye. 

Preopercle.  The  membrane  bone  lying  in  front  of  the  opercle  and 
more  or  less  nearly  parallel  with  it. 

Preorbital.     The  large  membrane  bone  before  the  eye  in  fishes. 

Primary.  Any  one  of  the  ten  (or  nine)  of  the  large,  stiff  quills  grow- 
ing upon  the  pinion  or  hand-bones  of  a  bird ;  as  distinguished 
from  the  secondaries,  which  grow  upon  the  fore-arm. 

Primary  wing  coverts.  The  coverts  overlying  the  bases  of  the  pri- 
maries. 

Proccelian.     Concave  in  front  only. 

Procurrent  (fin).  With  the  lower  rays  inserted  progressively  farther 
forward. 

Projectile.     Capable  of  being  thrust  forward. 

Protractile.     Capable  of  being  drawn  forward. 

Proximal.     Nearest. 

Pseudobranchiae.  Small  gills  developed  on  the  inner  side  of  the  opercle, 
near  its  junction  with  the  preopercle. 

Pterygoids.     Bones  of  roof  of  mouth  in  fishes,  behind  the  paiatines. 

Pubis.    Anterior  lower  part  of  pelvis. 

Pulmonary.     Pertaining  to  the  lungs. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS.        353 

Punctate.    Dotted  with  points. 

Pyloric  cceca.    Glandular  appendages  in  the  form  of  blind  sacs  opening 

into  the  alimentary  canal  of  most  fishes  at  the  pylorus  or  passage 

from  the  stomach  to  the  intestine. 

Quadrate.    Nearly  square  ;  a  bone  of  the  lower  jaw  in  lower  vertebrates. 
Quill.    One  of  the  stiff  feathers  of  the  wing  or  tail  of  a  bird. 

Quincunx.     Set  of  five  arranged  alternately,  thus  *  *  * 

Radius.    Outer  bone  of  fore-arm. 

Ray.    One  of  the  cartilaginous  rods  which  support  the  membrane  of 

the  fin  of  a  fish. 

Rectrices.    Quills  of  the  tail  of  a  bird. 
Recurved.     Curved  upward. 
Remiges.     Quills  of  the  wing  of  a  bird. 
Reticulate.    Marked  with  a  network  of  lines. 
Retractile.     Susceptible  of  being  drawn  inward,  as  a  cat's  claw. 
Retrorse.     Turned  backward. 
Rhachis.     Shaft  of  a  quill. 

Rictal.    Pertaining  to  the  rictus,  as  rictal  bristles. 
Rictus.    Gape  of  the  mouth. 
Rostral.    Pertaining  to  the  snout,  as  rostral  plate. 
Rudimentary.     Undeveloped. 
Ruff.    A  series  of  modified  feathers. 
Rugose.    Rough  with  wrinkles. 

Sacral.    Pertaining  to  the  sacrum,  or  vertebra  of  the  pelvic  region. 
Saurognathous.    Having  the  peculiar  ("lizard-like")  structure  of  the 

palate  found  in  Woodpeckers. 
ScansoriaL     Capable  of  climbing. 
Scansorial  tail.    Tail  feathers  sharp  and  stiff,  as  in  the  scansorial  birds 

(Woodpeckers). 
Scapula.     Shoulder  blade;  in  fishes,  the  bone  of  the  shoulder  girdle 

below  the  post-temporal. 
Scapular  arch.     Shoulder  girdle. 

Schizognathous.     Split  palate,  as  in  the  Heron  and  similar  birds. 
Scute.    Any  external  bony  or  horny  plate. 
Scutellate.    Provided  with  scutella ;   said  of  the  tarsus  when  covered 

with  broad  plates  in  a  regular  vertical  series,  and  separated  by 

regular  lines  of  impression. 
Scutellum.    One  of  the  tarsal  plates  or  scutella. 
Secondaries.     The  quills  growing  on  the  fore  arm. 
Second  dorsal.    The  posterior  or  soft  part  of  the  dorsal  fin,  when  the 

two  parts  are  separated. 

Sectorial  tooth.    One  of  the  premolars  of  carnivora,  adapted  for  cutting. 
Semipalmate.     Half-webbed ;  having  the  anterior  toes   more  or  less 

connected  at  base  by  a  webbing  which  does  not  extend  to  the 

claws. 

Septum.     A  thin  partition. 
Serrate.    Notched,  like  a  saw. 
Sessile.    Without  a  stem  or  peduncle. 

23 


354        GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 

Setaceous.     Bristly. 

Setiform.    Bristle-like. 

Shaft.     Stiff  axis  of  a  quill. 

Shoulder  girdle.    The  bony  girdle  posterior  to  the  head,  to  which  the 

anterior  limbs  are  attached  (post-temporal;  scapula,  and  coracoid 

or  clavicle). 

Soft  dorsal.    The  posterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  in  fishes,  when  com- 
posed of  soft  rays. 

Soft  rays.    Fin-rays  which  are  articulate  and  usually  branched. 
Spatulate.     Shaped  like  a  spatula. 
Sphenoid.    Basal  bone  of  skull. 
Spine.    Any  sharp  projecting  point ;  in  fishes  those  fin-rays  which  are 

unbranched,  inarticulate,  and  usually,  but  not  always,  more  or  less 

stiffened. 

Spinous.     Stiff  or  composed  of  spines. 
Spinous  dorsal.     The  anterior  part  of  the  dorsal  fin  when  composed  of 

spinous  rays. 
Spiracles.    Openings  in  the  head  or  neck  of  some  fishes  and   Ba- 

trachians. 
Spurious.     Said  of  the  first  primary  when  less  than  about  one-third 

the  length  of  the  second.     (The  student  will  notice  that  in  Oscines 

the  presence  of  a  short  or  spurious  quill  indicates  ten  primaries ;  its 

absence,  nine.) 

Stellate.    Star-like ;  with  radiating  ridges. 
Sternal  fontanelle.     A  pit  at  the  top  of  the  sternum. 
Sternum.     The  breast  bone. 
Striate.     Striped  or  streaked. 

Sub  (in  composition).    Less  than;  somewhat;  not  quite  ;  under,  etc. 
Sub-caudal.     Under  the  tail. 

Sub-opercle.     The  bone  immediately  below  the  opercle  (the  suture  con- 
necting the  two  often  hidden  by  scales). 
Sub-orbital.     Below  the  eye. 
Sub-orbital  stay.     A  bone  extending  from  one  of  the  sub-orbital  bones 

in  certain  fishes,  across  the  cheeks,  to  or  towards  the  preopercle. 
Subulate.     Awl-shaped. 

Suffrago.     Heel  joint ;  joint  of  tibia  and  tarsus. 
Superciliary.     Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  eyebrow. 
Supplemental  maxillary.     A  small  bone  lying  along  upper  edge  of  the 

maxillary. 
Supraqccipitnl.    The  bone  at  posterior  part  of  skull  in  fishes,  usually 

with  a  raised  crest  above. 
Supra-oral.  Above  the  mouth. 
Supra-orbital.  Above  the  eye. 
Supra-scapula.  The  post-temporal  or  bone  by  which  the  shoulder 

girdle  in  fishes  is  joined  to  the  skull. 
Suspensory  bones.     Bones  by  which  the  lower  jaw,  in  fishes,  is  fastened 

to  the  skull. 
Symphysis.    Point  of  junction  of  the  two  parts  of  lower  jaw ;  tip  of 

chin. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS.        355 

Symplectic.  The  bone  in  fishes  that  keys  together  the  hyomandibular 
and  quadrate  posteriorly. 

Syndarfyle.  Having  two  toes  immovably  united  for  some  distance,  — 
as  in  the  Kingfisher. 

Synonym.     A  different  word  having  the  same  or  a  similar  meaning. 

Synonomy.  A  collection  of  different  names  for  the  same  group,  species, 
or  tiling;  "  a  burden  and  a  disgrace  to  science."  (Coues.) 

Tail.  In  mammals,  the  vertebrae,  etc.,  posterior  to  the  sacrum  ;  in 
birds,  the  tail-feathers  or  rectrices,  taken  collectively  ;  in  serpents, 
the  part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  vent ;  in  fishes  (usually),  the 
part  of  the  body  posterior  to  the  anal  fin.  (Often  used  more  or 
less  vaguely.) 

Tail  coverts.  The  small  feathers  overlapping  the  bases  of  the  rec- 
trices. 

Tarso-metatarsus.  The  correct  name  for  the  so-called  tarsus  of  birds  ; 
the  bone  reaching  from  the  tibia  to  the  toes,  composed  chiefly  of 
the  metatarsus,  but  having  at  its  top  one  of  the  small  tarsal  bones 
confluent  with  it. 

Tarsus.  The  ankle-bones  collectively ;  in  birds,  commonly  used  for 
the  shank-bone,  lying  between  the  tibia  and  the  toes,  the  tarso- 
metatarsiis. 

Tectrices.     The  wing  and  tail  coverts. 

Temporal.    Pertaining  to  the  region  of  the  temples. 

Tenuirostral.     Slender-billed. 

Terete.     Cylindrical  and  tapering. 

Terminal.     At  the  end. 

Tertials.     The  quills  attached  to  the  humerus. 

Tessellated.     Marked  with  little  checks  or  squares,  like  mosaic  work. 

Thoracic.  Pertaining  to  the  chest ;  ventral  fins  are  thoracic  when  at- 
tached immediately  below  the  pectorals,  as  in  the  perch,  the  pelvic 
bones  being  fastened  to  the  shoulder  girdle. 

Tibia.     Shin-bone  ;  inner  bone  of  leg  between  knee  and  heel. 

Tomium.     Cutting  edge  of  the  bill. 

Totipalmate.     Having  all^oMr  toes  connected  by  webbing. 

Tragus.     The  inner  lobe  of  the  ear;  the  lobe  opposite  the  auricle. 

Transverse.     Crosswise. 

Trenchant.     Compressed  to  a  sharp  edge. 

Truncate.     Abrupt,  as  if  cut  squarely  off. 

Tubercle.     A  small  excrescence,  like  a  pimple. 

Tt/mpanum.     Drum  of  the  ear;  external  in  some  Batrachia,  etc. 

Typical.     Of  a  structure  the  most  usual  in  a  given  group. 

Ulna.     The  inner  or  posterior  bone  of  the  fore-arm. 

Unguiculate.     Provided  with  claws. 

Ungulate.     Provided  with  hoofs. 

Unicolor.     Of  a  single  color. 

Ultimate.    Last  or  farthest. 

Urosteges.    The  plates  underneath  the  tail  of  a  serpent. 

Vent.     The  external  opening  of  the  alimentary  canal. 

Ventral.    Pertaining  to  the  abdomen. 


356        GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 

Ventral  jins.    The  paired  fins  behind  or  below  the  pectoral  fins  in  fishes, 

corresponding  to  the  posterior  limbs  in  the  higher  vertebrates. 
Ventral  plates.     In  serpents,  the  row  of  plates  along  the  belly  between 

throat  and  vent. 

Ventricle.     One  of  the  thick-walled  chambers  of  the  heart. 
Versatile.     Capable  of  being  turned  either  way. 
Vertebra.     One  of  the  bones  of  the  spinal  column. 
Vertical.     Up  and  down. 
Vertical  fins.    The  fins  on  the  median  line  of  the  body ;  the  dorsal, 

anal,  and  caudal  fins. 

Vertical  plate.    Central  plate  on  the  head  of  a  serpent. 
Villiform.    Said  of  the  teeth  of  fishes  when  slender  and  crowded  into 

velvety  bands. 
Viscous.     Slimy. 

Viviparous.     Bringing  forth  living  young. 
Vomer.    In  fishes,  the  front  part  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth ;  a  bone 

lying  immediately  behind  the  premaxillaries. 
Web.     The  vane  of  a  feather,  on  either  side  of  the  rhachis  or  "  stem ; " 

also,  the  membrane  connecting  the  toes. 
Xfphisternum.     Tip  of  the  sternum. 
Zygodactyle.    Yoke-toed ;  having  the  toes  in  pairs,  —  two  in  front,  two 

behind. 
Zygoma.    The  malar  or  cheek  bone. 


EXPLANATION  OF  SIGNS  AND  ABBREVIATIONS. 
I.    FISHES. 

L.  =  Total  length  in  inches  of  a  well-grown  example. 
D.  =  Dorsal  fin. 
2d  D.  =  Second  dorsal  fin. 
P.  =  Pectoral  fins. 
V.  =  Ventral  fins. 

A.  =  Anal  fin. 
C.  =  Caudal  fin. 

B.  =  Branchiostegals. 

Vert.  =  Vertebrae.     The  number  is  usually  divided  into  abdominal  and 
caudal  vertebrae;  the  latter  having  the  haemapophyses  united, 
forming  haemal  spines.     Thus  Vert.  10  + 14,  the  usual  number 
in  typical  fishes,  means  10  abdominal  and  14  caudal  vertebrae. 
<J=Male. 
9  =  Female. 

Roman  numerals  used  with  abbreviations  for  the  fins  indicate  the 
number  of  spines  or  inarticulate  rays  in  a  fin.  Arabic  numerals  indicate 
the  number  of  soft  rays.  In  a  fin  containing  both  spines  and  soft  rays, 
a  comma  (,)  separating  the  numerals  indicates  that  the  two  kinds  of 
rays  are  continuous,  or  more  or  less  connected.  A  dash  ( — )  indicates 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS.        357 

their  separation.  Thus,  "  D.  X,  12,"  describes  a  single  dorsal  fin  with 
10  spines  and  12  soft  rays  ;  "D.  X  —  12,"  indicates  two  dorsal  fins  — 
the  first  of  10  spines,  the  second  of  12  soft  rays ;  "  D.  X  —  I,  12," 
would  indicate  the  presence  of  a  single  spine  in  the  second  dorsal. 

The  posterior  soft  ray  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins  is  usually  split  to 
the  base.  It  should  be  counted  as  one  ray  and  not  as  two. 

"  Gill  rakers  5  + 15,"  indicates  5  above  and  15  below  angle  of  gill- 
arch  ;  rudiments  not  counted.  When  the  number  above  the  angle  is 
uncertain  or  non-essential,  it  is  indicated  as  "  x." 

Lat.  L  =  Lateral  line, «.  e.,  the  number  of  scales  contained  in  its  course. 
When  the  lateral  line  is  obsolete,  "  lat.  1."  signifies  the  number 
of  scales  in  a  row  from  the  head  to  the  base  of  the  caudal  fin. 
Thus,  "  lat.  1.  36  "  means  that  there  are  36  scales  in  a  row  along 
the  sides  from  the  head  to  the  caudal. 

"  Scales  5-36-10  "  indicates  the  presence  of  36  scales  in  the  lateral 
line  itself;  5  scales  in  a  vertical  series  between  front  of  dorsal  and 
lateral  line,  and  10  scales  between  lateral  line  and  vent. 

In  all  cases  the  number  of  rays  or  scales,  as  given  in  the  descrip- 
tions, is  intended  to  represent  a  fair  average,  and  a  variation  of  one- 
sixth,  or  even  more,  in  either  direction  need  not  surprise  the  student. 
Generally  the  spines  and  scales  are  more  constant  in  their  numbers 
than  the  soft  rays,  and  the  fewer  of  either,  the  less  variable. 

Length,  as  used  in  proportionate  measurements,  is  distance  along  the 
side  from  tip  of  snout  to  end  of  last  vertebra.  It  does  not  include  the 
caudal  fin. 

Depth  in  length.  =  The  greatest  depth  of  the  body  as  contained  in  the 
distance  along  the  side  from  the  snout  to  the  base  of  the  caudal. 

Head  in  length.  =  The  distance  from  the  snout  along  the  cheeks  to  the 
extremity  of  the  opercle,  as  contained  in  the  distance  from  the 
snout  to  the  base  of  the  caudal. 

Eye  in  head.  =  Its  longitudinal  diameter  as  contained  in  the  length  of 

the  side  of  the  head. 
As  above  stated,  these  measurements,  as  given  in  the  descriptions, 

are  intended  to  be  the  average  of  living  adults,  and  must  be  applied  to 

young  specimens  or  preserved  ones  with  caution. 

Young  fishes  are  usually  but  not  always  more  elongate  than  adults, 

and  the  eye  is  proportionally  much  larger. 

A  fin  is  said  to  be  "  long  "  when  it  has  a  long  base,  or  is  many-rayed. 
A  "  high  "  fin  is  one  in  which  the  individual  rays  are  elongated. 

II.    REPTILES. 

L.  =  Length  in  inches  of  an  adult  example,  from  tip  of  snout  to  tip  of 

tail. 
Sc.  or  Scales.  =  Number  of  longitudinal  rows  of  scales  exclusive  of  the 

ventral  series. 


358        GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TERMS. 

V,  P.  =  Number  of  ventral  plates,  or  gastrosteges,  counted  along  the 
belly,  from  the  throat  to  the  vent.  The  figures  given  in  the 
descriptions  are  intended  to  be  average,  the  actual  number  being 
somewhat  variable. 

S.  C.  P.  =  Number  of  pairs  of  sub-caudal  plates,  or  urosteges,  counted 
from  the  vent  to  the  tip  of  the  tail. 

III.    BIRDS. 

L.  =  Length  in  inches  (along  back  from  tip  of  bill  to  end  of  longest 

tail  feather)  ;  thus,  "  L.  7 £  "  means,  length  7£  inches. 
E.—  Extent  (spread  of  wing)  measured  in  inches. 

W.  =  Length  of  wing  (from  bend  of  closed  wing — carpal  joint  —  to 

tip  of  longest  feather)  in  inches. 
T.  =  Length  of  tail  in  inches  (i.  e.,  actual  length  of  the  longest  tail 

feather). 
B.  =  Length  of  bill  in  inches  (measured  along  middle  line  of  culmen 

to  tip  of  bill). 
Hd.  =  Length  of  head  in  inches  (measured  with  dividers  from  base  of 

bill  to  nape.) 

Ts.  =  Length  of  Tarsus  in  inches  (measured  in  front). 
Td.  =  Length  of  middle  toe  with  its  claw. 

The  measurements  given  in  the  descriptions  are  understood  to  repre- 
sent a  fair  average  adult  male ;  a  variation  of  one-sixth,  or  more,  in 
absolute  length  is  nothing  unusual ;  relative  lengths,  as  of  wings  and 
tail,  are  much  more  constant.  To  save  space  I  have  usually  preferred 
to  say  "  L.  6,"  to  saying  "  L.  5|  to  6£." 

$  =  Male. 

9  =  Female. 

Yg.  =  Young. 

>  =  More  than,  longer  than,  or  more  than  equivalent  to. 

<  =  Less  than,  in  its  various  senses. 

=  =  Sign  of  equivalence. 

The  toes  are  numbered  1,  2,  3,  4 ;  1  being  the  hind  toe,  or  hallux  ;  2 
the  inner  anterior  toe  ;  3  the  middle  toe ;  and  4  the  outer  toe. 


IV.    MAMMALS. 

L.  =  Length  in  inches  from  tip  of  snout  to  tip  of  last  vertebra  of  tail. 

T.  =  Length  of  tail  in  inches  (exclusive  of  hairs). 

i.  =  Incisor  teeth. 

c.  —  Canines. 

pro.  —  Premolars. 

rn.  =  Molars. 


GLOSSARY  OF  TECHNICAL  TEEMS.        359 

Thus,  "  i.  f  if"  indicates  two  incisor  teeth  on  each  side  in  the  upper 
jaw,  and  one  on  each  side  in  the  lower. 
"  Toes  5-4  "  implies  fore  feet  five-toed,  hind  feet  four-toed. 

NOTE.  —  As  authority  for  names  of  species  in  this  work,  the  original 
describer  of  the  species  is  alone  given.  The  name  is  written  in  full 
except  in  case  of  Linnaeus,  abbreviated  as  "  L." 

In  case  the  original  combination  of  general  and  specific  name  is 
still  retained,  the  name  of  the  author  is  printed  without  parentheses. 
In  case,  however,  the  original  describer  placed  the  species  in  question 
in  a  genus  different  from  the  one  here  adopted,  the  author's  name  is 
enclosed  in  parentheses. 

Thus  (page  277),  "  Corvus  corax  L."  means  that  Linnaeus  placed  his 
species  corax  in  Corvus,  where  it  still  remains. 

"  Mela nerpes  erythrocephalus  (L.),"  indicates  that  the  species  (Picus 
erythrocephalus  of  Linnaeus)  is  now  placed  in  a  genus  different  from 
the  one  in  which  it  originally  stood.  Melanerpes  is  a  modern  subdi- 
vision of  Picus,  which  formerly  included  all  Woodpeckers. 

"  Eu."  indicates  that  the  species  in  question  is  also  found  in  Europe. 

ADDITIONAL  NOTE  ON  UPSILONPHORUS  (page  156).  —  Two  species 
of  this  genus  are  found  on  our  coast  :  443.  U.  y-graecum,  described 
in  the  text,  and  443  (b).  U.  guttatus  (Abbott),  with  the  white  spots 
less  distinct,  and  the  Y  on  top  of  head  short  and  broad,  its  basal  part 
about  as  broad  as  long.  In  U.  y-yraecum  the  Y  is  slender,  its  basal  part 
long.  U.  guttatus  is  the  more  common  northward. 


INDEX. 

INCLUDING   COMMON  NAMES  AND  NAMES  OF  GENERA, 
SUBGENERA,  FAMILIES,  AND  HIGHER  GROUPS. 


ABASTOR,  191. 

Alectis,  109. 

Anas,  230. 

Acantharchus,  115. 

Alewife,  72. 

Anatidae,  227. 

Acanthis,  284. 

Alle,  218. 

Anchovy,  74. 

Acanthopteri,  26,  101. 

Alligator,  187. 

Ancylocheilus,  247. 

Accipiter,  257. 

Alligator-fish,  151. 

Ancylopsetta,  166. 

Achirus,  168. 

Alligator  Gar,  35. 

Angel-fish,  19,  146. 

Acipenser,  34. 

All-mouth,  172. 

Angler,  172. 

Acipenseridae,  33. 

Allosomus,  79. 

Anguidse,  201. 

Acris,  183. 

Alopias,  17. 

Anguilla,  90. 

Actitis,  248. 

Alopiidae,  17. 

Anguillidae,  89. 

Actochelidon,  221. 

Alosa,  73. 

Anhinga,  225. 

Actodromas,  246. 

Alvordius,  126. 

Anhingidae,  225. 

^Echmophorus,  215. 

Amber-fish,  110. 

Anolis,  202. 

-(Egialitis,  249. 

Ambloplites,  115. 

Anorthura,  308. 

^Esalon,  260. 

Amblyopsidae,  82. 

Anser,  234. 

^Estrelata,  224. 

Amblyopsis,  83. 

Anseres,  227. 

Aetobatidae,  22. 

Amblystoma,  177. 

Antelope,  337. 

Aetobatis,  23. 

Amblystomatidae,  177. 

Antennariidae,  172. 

Agaphelus,  334. 

Ameiurus,  39. 

Anthropoids,  342. 

Agelaius,  279. 

Amia,  37. 

Anthus,  306. 

Agkistrodon,  199. 

Amiatus,  37. 

Antilocapra,  337. 

Agonida;,  151. 

Amiidae,  36. 

Antrostomus,  269. 

Ailurichthys,  38. 

Ammocoetes,  10. 

Apeltes,  98. 

Aix,  231. 

Ammocrypta,  122. 

Aphoristia,  168. 

Ajaja,  236. 

Ammodramus,  286. 

Aphredoderidae,  112 

Alaudidae,  275. 

Ammodytes,  101. 

Aphredoderus,  113. 

Albacora,  106. 

Ammodytidae,  101. 

Aphrizidae,  250. 

Albacore,  106. 

Ampelidae,  293. 

Aplodinotus,  144. 

Albatross,  223. 

Ampelis,  293. 

Apodes,  26,  89. 

Albula,  70. 

Amphioxus,  8. 

Apomotis,  117. 

Albulidae,  70. 

Amphiuma,  176. 

Aprionodon,  14. 

Alburnops,  57. 

Amphiumidae,  176. 

Aquila,  259. 

Alca,  217. 

Amyda,  206. 

Archibuteo,  259. 

Alee,  336. 

Anacanthini,  161. 

Archosargus,  140. 

Alcedinidae,  265. 

Anarrhichadidffi,  159,160. 

Arcifera,  182. 

Alcidse,  216. 

Anarrhichas,  160. 

Arctomys,  323. 

362 


INDEX. 


Ardea,  238. 
Ardeid*,  237. 
Ardetta,  238. 
Arenaria,  250. 
Argentinidae,  76. 
Argyrosomus,  78. 
Ariopsis,  39. 
Aristonetta,  232. 
Arius,  39. 
Aromochelys,  207. 
Arquatella,  246. 
Artediellus,  150. 
Artiodactyli,  335. 
Arvicola,  320. 
Ascidians,  5. 
Asinus,  335. 
Asio,  262. 
Aspidonectes,  206. 
Aspidophoroides,  151. 
Ass,  335. 

Astragalinus,  285. 
Astroscopus,  156. 
Astur,  258. 
Asturina,  259. 
Atalapha,  328. 
Atherinidse,  99. 
Athlennes,  92. 
Auk,  216,  217,  218. 
Auxis,  106. 
Aves,  212. 
Avocet,  243,  244. 
Aythya,  231. 


BACHELOR,  115. 

Badger,  340. 
Bairdiella,  143. 
Balaena,  334. 
Balsenidje,  333. 
Balsenoptera,  334. 
Balanoglossus,  7. 
Bald  Eagle,  259. 
Baldpate,  231. 
Balistes,  169. 
Balistid*,  168. 
Baltimore  Oriole,  279. 
Bank  Swallow,  293. 
Barb,  144. 
Bar-fish,  115. 
Barnacle  Goose,  235. 
Barn-door  Skate,  21. 
Barn  Owl,  261. 
Barn  Swallow,  292. 
Barracuda,  100. 


Barred  Owl,  262. 

Barren  Ground  Caribou, 
336. 

Bartramia,  248. 

Bascanion,  195. 

Bashaw,  41. 

Basking  Shark,  19. 

Bass,  120,  137. 

Bat,  327,  328. 

Bat-fish,  172. 

Batrachia,  174. 

Batrachidse,  154. 

Batrachus,  154. 

Bay-breasted  Warbler, 
302. 

Bay  Porpoise,  331. 

Bead  Snake,  198. 

Bear,  339. 

Beaver,  322. 

Bee-Martin,  274. 

Bellows-fish,  172. 

Beluga,  331. 

Bergall,  146. 

Big-horn,  337. 

Bill-fish,  92,  104. 

Birds,  212. 

Birds  of  Prey,  255. 

Bishop  Ray,  23. 

Bison,  337! 

Bittern,  237,  238. 

Black  and  White  Creeper, 
298. 

Black  and  Yellow  War- 
bler, 302. 

Black-backed  Gull,  220. 

Black  Bass,  120. 

Blackbird,  279,  280. 

Black-capped  Warbler, 
305. 

Black  Cat,  341. 

Black  Dolphin,  330. 

Black  Duck,  230. 

Black-fish,  137,  146,  331. 

Black  Fox,  342. 

Black  Hawk,  258,  259. 

Black-headed  Gull,  220. 

Black-Horse,  46. 

Black  Moccasin,  199. 

Black-nosed  Dace,  63. 

Black-poll  Warbler,  302. 

Black  Rat,  322. 

Black  Sea  Bass,  137. 

Black  Snake,  195. 

Black  Squirrel,  323. 


Black  -  throated  Blue 
Warbler,  301. 

Black-throated  Bunting, 
290. 

Black  -  throated  Green 
Warbler,  303. 

Black  Whale,  334. 

Blarina,  326. 

Blenniidse,  157. 

Blenny,  157. 

Blind-fish,  83. 

Blob,  149. 

Blowing  Viper,  197. 

Blue-back  Trout,  81. 

Blue-bill,  232. 

Blue-Bird,  313. 

Blue-fin,  78. 

Blue-fish,  111. 

Blue-gills  (Lepomis  pal- 
lidus),  118 

Blue  Goose,  234. 

Blue  Grosbeak,  290. 

Blue-headed  Vireo,  296. 

Blue  Heron,  238. 

Blue  Jay,  277. 

Blue  Perch,  146. 

Blue-Racer,  ]95. 

Blue  Shark,  17. 

Blue-Stocking,  244. 

Blue  Sun-fish,  118. 

Blue-tailed  Lizard,  201. 

Blue-winged  Teal,  230. 

Blue  -  winged  Warbler, 
299. 

Blue  Yellow-backed  War- 
bler, 299. 

Bobolink,  278. 

Bob-White,  252. 

Bohemian  Waxwing,  293. 

Boleichthys,  134. 

Boleosoma,  123. 

Bonasa,  252. 

Bone-fish,  70. 

Bonito,  106. 

Bonnet-head  Shark,  16. 

Borer,  9. 

Bos,  336. 

Botaurus,  237. 

Bottle-nosed  Dolphin, 330. 

Bottle-nosed  Whale,  332. 

Bovidse,  336. 

Bow-fin,  36. 

Bowhead,  334. 

Box  Turtle,  207,  210. 


INDEX. 


363 


Brachyotus,  262. 

Camptolaimus,  233. 

Branch  Herring,  72. 

Canada  Warbler,  305. 

Branch  iostoma,  8. 

Canary,  285. 

Branchiostomatidae,  8. 

Canidse,  341. 

Branta,  235. 

Canis,  342. 

Brant  Goose,  235. 

Canvas-back  Duck,  232. 

Bream,  68,  119. 

Capelin,  76. 

Brevoortia,  73. 

Cape  May  Warbler,  301. 

Brook  Trout,  80. 

Capra,  336. 

Brosmius,  162. 

Caprimulgidse,  269. 

Brown  Bat,  328. 

Carangidae,  107. 

Brown  Bear,  339. 

Caranx,  108. 

Brown  Creeper,  309. 

Carassius,  50. 

Brown  Lark,  306. 

Carcharhinus,  17. 

Brown  Thrush,  307. 

Carcharias,  18. 

Brown  Trout,  79. 

Carchariidse,  18. 

Bubo,  263. 

Carcharodon,  19. 

Bubonidse,  261. 

Cardinal  Grosbeak,  289. 

Buffalo,  337. 

Cardinalis,  289. 

Buffalo-fish,  44. 

Carduelis,  285. 

Buffle-head,  233. 

Cariacus,  336. 

Bufo,  182. 

Caribou,  336. 

Bufonidae,  182. 

Carinata3,  212,  213. 

Bug-fish,  73. 

Carnivora,  337. 

Bull  Bat,  270. 

Carolina  Wren,  308. 

Bull-Frog,  186. 

Carp,  50. 

Bullhead,  40. 

Carphophiops,  191. 

Bullhead  Minnow,  54. 

Carpiodes,  45. 

Bull  Snake,  196. 

Carpodacus,  284. 

Bull-Trout,  80. 

Carp  Sucker,  45. 

Bumper,  110. 

Carrion  Crow,  256. 

Bunting,  286. 

Castor,  322. 

Burbot,  162. 

Castoridae,  322. 

Burgomaster,  220. 

Cat,  342,  343. 

Burr-fish,  170. 

Caitaphracti,  146. 

Burrowing  Owl,  263. 

Cat-Bird,  307. 

Butcher  Bird,  294. 

Cat-fish,  38,  39. 

Buteo,  258. 

Catharista,  256. 

Butorides,  239. 

Cathartes,  256 

Butter-Ball,  233. 

Cathartidae,  255. 

Butter-fish,  112,  158. 

Catostomidse,  4-3. 

Butterfly  Ray,  22. 

Catostomus,  46. 

Buzzard,  258. 

Caucasian,  344. 

Cavalla,  109. 

Cave  Fish,  82. 

CACHALOT,  333. 

Cave  Salamander,  180. 

Cerulean  Warbler,  302. 

Cavia,  318. 

Calamospiza,  291. 

Cecomorphae,  214. 

Calcarius,  285. 

Cedar  Bird,  293. 

Calico  Bass,  115. 

Cemophora,  197. 

Calidris,  247. 

Centrarchidae,  113. 

Calomys,  321. 

Centrarchus,  114. 

Campephilus,  267. 

Centrocyllium,  14. 

Campostoma,  52. 

Centropristis,  137. 

Centroscymnus,  14. 
Centurus,  268. 
Ceophloeus,  268. 
Cephalacanthidae,  151. 
Cephalacanthus,  152. 
Cephalochordata,  6. 
Cepphus,  217. 
Ceratichthys,  63. 
Cerna,  138. 
Certhia,  309. 
Certhiidse,  309. 
Cervidae,  335. 
Cervus,  336. 
Ceryle,  266. 
Cestreus,  142. 
Cetaceans,  329. 
Cete,  321. 
Cetorhinidae,  19. 
Cetorhinus,  19. 
Chaenobryttus,  115. 
Chaetodip'terus,  146. 
Chaetura,  270. 
Chain  Snake,  196. 
Chameleon,  202. 
Channel  Bass,  143. 
Channel  Cat,  39,  40. 
Characinidae,  43. 
Charadriidae,  249. 
Charadrius,  249. 
Charitonetta,  233. 
Charr,  80. 
Chasmodes,  158. 
Chat,  305. 
Chatterer,  293. 
Chaulelasmus,  230. 
Chelidon,  292. 
Chelonia,  205. 
Cheloniidae,  205. 
Chelopus,  210. 
Chelydra,  207. 
Chelydridse,  206. 
Chen,  234. 
Chenomorphae,  227. 
Cherry  Bird,  293. 
Chestnut-sided  Warbler, 

302. 

Chewink,  289. 
Chickadee,  310. 
Chickaree,  323. 
Chicken  Hawk,  258,  259. 
Chicken-Snake,  195. 
Chilomyctertis,  170. 
Chimaera,  24. 
Chimseridae,  24. 


364 


INDEX. 


Chimney  Swallow,  270. 

Columba,  254. 

Crocodilia,  187,  211. 

Chipmunk,  323. 

Columbae,  253. 

Crocodilus,  187. 

Chipping  Sparrow,  288. 

Columbidae,  254. 

Crossbill,  284. 

Chippy,  288. 

Columbigallina,  254. 

Cross  Fox,  342. 

Chiroptera,  327. 

Colyinbus,  215. 

Crotalidae,  198. 

Chloroscombrus,  110. 

Compsothlypis,  399. 

Crotalus,  199. 

Chogset,  146. 

Condylura*  327. 

Crow,  277. 

Chologaster,  83. 

Conger,  91. 

Crow  Blackbird,  280. 

Chondestes,  287. 

Conger  Eel,  91. 

Crymophilus,  243. 

Chondrostei,  25. 

Congo  Snake,  176. 

Cryptacanthodes,  159. 

Chondrotus,  179. 

Connecticut  Warbler,304. 

Cryptacanthodidae,  159. 

Chordata,  6. 

Contopus,  274. 

Cryptobranchidse,  176. 

Chordeiles,  270. 

Conurus,  264. 

Cryptobranchus,  177. 

Chorophilus,  183. 

Coot,  242. 

Crystallaria,  123. 

Chro3cocephalus,  220. 

Copperhead,  199. 

Ctenolabrus,  146. 

Chrosomus,  53. 

Coregonus,  77. 

Cuckoo,  265. 

Chrysemys,  210. 

Cormorant,  225,  226. 

Cuculidae,  265. 

Chub,  66*,  140. 

Corn-Snake,  194,  196. 

Cunner,  146. 

Chub-Mackerel,  107. 

Corvidse,  276. 

Curlew,  248,  249. 

Chub-Sucker,  46. 

Corvina,  143. 

Cusk,  162. 

Chuckle-headed  Cat,  39. 

Corvus,  277. 

Cutlass-fish,  104. 

Chuck-will's  Widow,  269. 

Corynorhinus,  329. 

Cut-lips,  49,  54. 

Ciconiidse,  237. 

Coryphaena,  112. 

Cutwater,  222. 

Cigar-fish,  108. 

Coryphaenidae,  112. 

Cyanocitta,  277. 

Cinclus,  311. 

Cottidae,  147. 

Cycleptus,  46. 

Circus,  257. 

Cottogaster,  125. 

Cyclophis,  195. 

Cirrostomi,  8. 

Cotton-mouth,  199, 

Cyelopteridae,  154. 

Cisco,  78. 

Cotton-tail,  317. 

Cyclopterus,  154. 

Cistothorus,  308. 

Cottus,  148. 

Cyclostomi,  9. 

Cistudo,  210. 

Coturnicops,  241. 

Cynomyonax,  341. 

Citharichthys,  167. 

Coturniculus,  281. 

Cynomys,  323. 

Clamatores,  271. 

Coturnix,  252. 

Cynoperca,  135. 

Clam-Cracker,  22. 

Couesius,  65. 

Cynoscion,  142. 

Clangula,  233. 

Cougar,  343. 

Cyprinella,  58. 

Clapper  Rail,  241. 

Cow-Bird,  278. 

Cyprinidae,  49. 

Cliff  Swallow,  292. 

Cow-fish,  332. 

C}rprinodon,  84. 

Cling-fish,  155. 

Cow-nosed  Ray,  23. 

Cyprinodontidae,  83. 

Clinostomus,  67. 

Coyote,  342. 

Cyprinus,  50. 

Cliola,  54. 

Crab-eater,  103. 

Cypselurus,  95. 

Clivicola,  293. 

Craig-fluke,  168. 

Clupea,  72. 

Crake,  241. 

Clupeidae,  71. 

Cramp-fish,  22. 

DAB,  165,  167. 

Cnemidophorus,  201. 

Crane,  240. 

Dab-chick,  215. 

Coal-fish,  163. 

Craniota,  6. 

Dace,  58. 

Cobia,  103. 

Crappie,  115. 

Daddy  Sculpin,  150. 

Coccothraustes,  283. 

Crawl  -a-Bottom,  46,  126. 

Dafila,  231. 

Coccyges,  265. 

Creciscus,  241. 

Darter  (bird),  225. 

Coccyzus,  265. 

Creek  Chub,  66. 

Darter  (fish),  121. 

Cod-fish,  161,  163. 

Creek-fish,  46. 

Dasyatidse,  22. 

Codling,  162. 

Creeper,  300. 

Dasyatis,  22. 

Colaptes,  268. 

Crevalte,  109. 

Day  Owl,  263. 

Colinus,  252. 

Cricket  Frog,  183. 

Decactylus,  46. 

Coluber,  194. 

Cristivomer,  80. 

Decapterus,  108. 

Colubridse,  188. 

Croaker,  143. 

Deer,  335,  336. 

INDEX. 


365 


Delphinapterus,  331. 

Echelidse,  90. 

Delphinidae,  330. 

Echelus,  90. 

Delphinus,  331. 

Echeneididae,  102. 

Dendragapus,  252. 

Echeneis,  102. 

Dendroica,  299. 

Ech  inorhinus,  14. 

Dermochelydidae,  204. 

Ectopistes,  254. 

Dermochelys,  204. 

Educabilia,  315. 

Desmognathidae,  180. 

Eel,  89,  90. 

Desmognathus,  180. 

Eel-back  Flounder,  167. 

Diadophis,  196. 

Eel-Pout,  160. 

Diamond-back,  209. 

Eft,  181. 

Diapterus,  145. 

Egret,  238. 

Dichromanassa,  238. 

Eider  Duck,  233. 

Dick-sissel,  290. 

Elacate,  103. 

Didelphia,  314. 

Elacatida;,  103. 

Didelphididse,  316. 

Elagatis,  111. 

Didelphis,  316. 

Elanoides,  257. 

Diedapper,  215. 

Elanus,  257. 

Diemyctylus,  181. 

Elapidae,  198. 

Diodontidae,  170. 

Elaps,  198. 

Diomedeidae,  223. 

Elassoma,  113. 

Dionda,  53. 

Elassomatidae,  113. 

Diplesion,  125. 

Electric  Ray,  21. 

Dipnoj,  12,  173. 

Elk,  336. 

Dipper,  233,  311. 

Elopida;,  70. 

Discocephali,  102. 

Elops,  70. 

Diver,  216.             ,'    , 

Empidonax,  275. 

Diving-birds,  214. 

Emydidae,  208. 

Dog,  341,  342. 

Emys,  210. 

Dog-fish,  15,  37,  87. 

Engraulis,  74. 

Dog-Shark,  16. 

Engystoma,  184. 

Dolichonyx,  278. 

Engystomatidae,  184. 

Dollar-fish,  112. 

Enneacanthus,  116. 

Dolly  Varden  Trout,  80. 

Enteropneusta,  6. 

Dolphin  (fish),  112. 

Epelasmia,  146. 

Dolphin  (mammal),  330, 

Ephippidae,  146. 

331. 

Epinephelus,  138. 

Donzella,  160. 

Equus,  335. 

Dorosoma,  74. 

Eremophila,  276. 

Dough  Bird,  249. 

Erethizon,  318 

Dove,  253,  254. 

Eretmochelys,  205. 

Dovekie,  218. 

Ereunetes,  247. 

Dowitcher,  245. 

Ericosma,  128. 

Drum,  141,  144. 

Ericymba,  62. 

Dryobates,  267. 

Erimyzon,  46. 

Dublin  Trout.  81. 

Erionetta,  233. 

Duck,  227,  229. 

Erismatura,  234. 

Duck-bill  Cat,  33. 

Ermine,  341. 

Duck  Hawk,  260. 

Esocidse,  88. 

Dunlin,  247. 

Esox,  88. 

Dytes,  215. 

P^squimaux  Curlew,  249. 

Etheostoma,  121,  131. 

EAGLE,  259. 

Etropus,  167. 

Eagle  Kay,  22,  23. 

Etrumeus,  71. 

Eucalia,  97. 
Eulamia,  17. 
Euleptorhamphus,  93. 
Eumeces,  201. 
Eumesogrammus,  159. 
Eumicrotremus,  154. 
Eupomotis,  119. 
Eurhipidurae,  212. 
Eutainia,  192. 
Eutheria,  314. 
Euthynnus,  106. 
Evening  Grosbeak,  283. 
Eventognathi,  26,  42. 
Evet,  181. 
Evotomys,  320. 
Exocoetidae,  91. 
Exocoetus,  93. 
Exoglossum,  54. 


FALCO,  260. 
Falcon,  256,  260. 
Falconidae,  256. 
Fall-fish,  59,  66. 
Farancia,  191. 
Felidae,  342. 
Felis,  343. 
Ferae,  337. 
Ferret,  341. 
Fiber,  320. 
Field-Mouse,  320. 
Field  Sparrow,  288. 
File-fish,  169. 
Fin-back  Whale,  333,334. 
Finch,  280. 

Fine-scaled  Sucker,  46. 
Finner,  334. 
Fire  Bird,  279. 
Firmisternia,  182. 
Fish  Crow,  277. 
Fish-Duck,  228,  229. 
Fishes,  12. 
Fish-Hawk,  261. 
Fishing-frog,  172. 
Fissipedia,  337. 
Fistulariidse,  97. 
Flannel  -  mouthed     Cat, 

39. 

Flasher,  138. 
Flat-fish,  163,  167. 
Flat-head  Cat,  41. 
Flat-headed  Chub,  65. 
Flicker,  268. 
Flocking  Fowl,  232. 


366 


INDEX. 


Florida,  238. 
Flounder,  164,  166. 
Flycatcher,  273,  274,  275. 
Fly-catching  Thrush,3 12. 
Flying-fish,  93,  94. 
Flying  Gurnard,  152. 
Flying  Squirrel,  324. 
Fool-fish,  169. 
Fork-tailed  Gull,  221. 
Fox,  342. 
Fox-Shark,  17. 
Fox  Snake,  195. 
Fox  Sparrow,  289. 
Fox  Squirrel,  324. 
Fratercula,  217. 
Fregata,  227. 
Fregatidse,  226. 
Friar,  100. 

Frigate  Mackerel,  106. 
Fringillidse,  280. 
Frog,  184,  185,  186. 
Frog-fish,  172. 
Frost  Bird,  249. 
Frost-fish,  76,  163. 
Fulica,  242. 
Fuligula,  232. 
Fulmar,  223. 
Fulmarus,  223. 
Fundulus,  84. 


GADID^E,  161. 
Gadus,  163. 
Gadwall,  230. 
Gaff-Topsail,  38. 
Gale,  341. 
Galeichthys,  39. 
Galeocerdo,  16. 
Galeorhinidfe,  16. 
Galeoscoptes,  307. 
Galeus,  16. 
Gallinse,  251. 
Gal  linage,  245. 
Gallinula,  241. 
Gullinule,  241. 
Gallus,  251. 
Gambusia,  87. 
Gannet,  225. 
Ganoidei,  25,  32. 
Gar-fish,  92. 
Gar-pike,  35. 
Garrot,  232. 
Garter  Snake,  192,  193. 
Garzetta,  238. 


Gaspereau,  72. 

Gaspergou,  144. 

Gasterosteid*,  97. 

Gasterosteus,  98. 

Gavia,  219. 

Gelochelidon,  221. 

Gennaia,  260. 

Geomyidse,  318. 

Geomys,  319. 

Geothlypis,  304. 

Gerres,  145. 

Gerridse,  144. 

Giant  Salamander,  176. 

Ginglymodi,  25,  35. 

Gizzard  Shad,  74. 

Glaniostomi,  25,  33. 

Glass-Snake,  202. 

Glaucionetta,  232. 

Glires,  316. 

Globicephalus,  331. 

Glut  Herring,  72. 

Glutton,  340. 

Glyptocephalus,  168. 

Gnatcatcher,  311. 

Gnawers,  316. 

Goat,  336. 

Goatsucker,  269. 

Gobiesocidae,  155. 

Gobiesox,  155. 

Gobiidae,  156. 

Gobiosoma,  157. 

Gobius,  157. 

Goby,  156. 

Godwit,  247. 

Goggle  Eye,  115. 

Goggler,  108*. 

Golden-crowned  Thrush, 
304. 

Golden  Eagle,  259. 

Golden-Eye,  232. 

Golden  Robin,  279. 

Golden  Shiner,  68. 

Golden-winged  Warbler, 
298. 

Golden -winged  Wood- 
pecker, 268. 

Goldfinch,  285. 

Gold-fish,  50. 

Goody,  143. 

Goosander,  229. 

Goose,  234,  235. 

Goose-fish,  172. 

Gopher,  323. 

Gopher  Turtle,  211. 


Goshawk,  258,  259. 
Gourd-seed  Sucker,  46. 
Grackle,  280. 
Grallze,  242. 
Grampus,  332. 
Grand-Ecaille,  71. 
Graptemys,  208. 
Grass-Bass,  115. 
Grasshopper       Sparrow, 

286. 

Grass-Snake,  195. 
Grass-Sparrow,  286. 
Gray-cheeked      Thrush, 

312. 

Gray  Fox,  342. 
Gray  Gopher,  323. 
Gray  Hawk,  259. 
Gray  Jay,  277. 
Grayling,  79. 
Gray  Owl,  262. 
Gray  Rabbit,  317. 
Gray  Snapper,  139. 
Gray  Squirrel,  323. 
Gray  Wolf,  342. 
Great  Auk,  218. 
Grebe,  215. 
Gr^een  Heron,  239. 
Greenlet,  295. 
Green  Snake,  195. 
Green  Turtle,  205. 
Green-winged  Teal,  230. 
Grind-Whale,  331. 
Grizzly  Bear,  339. 
Gronias,  41. 
Grosbeak,  283,  289,  230. 
Ground-Bird,  286. 
Ground  Dove,  254. 
Ground  Hog,  323. 
Ground  Snake,  191. 
Ground  Squirrel,  323. 
Grouper,  138. 
Grouse,  251-253. 
Grubby,  150. 
Gruidaj,  240. 
Grus,  240. 
Guara,  236. 
Guillemot,  217. 
Guinea  Hen,  251. 
Guinea  Pig,  318. 
Guiraca,  290. 
Gull,  219,  220. 
Gull-billed  Tern,  221. 
Gulo,  340. 
Gurnard,  152. 


INDEX. 


367 


Gymnacanthus,  151. 
Gymnosarda,  106. 
Gyrfalcon,  260. 
Gyrinophilus,  179. 


HABIA,  290. 

Haddock,  163. 

Hadropterus,  128. 

Hsematopodidae,  250. 

Haematopus,  250. 

Hag-fish,  9. 

Hake,  162,  163. 

Haldea,  192. 

Halecomorphi,  26,  36. 

Half-beak,  93. 

Haliaeetus,  259. 

Halibut,  165. 

Halocypselus,  93. 

Hammer-head,  46. 

Hammer-headed    Shark 
16. 

Haplodoci,  154. 

Haplomi,  26,  82. 

Harbor  Porpoise,  331. 

Harbor  Seal,  338. 

Hard-tail,  109. 

Hare,  317. 

Hare-lip  Sucker,  49. 

Harlequin  Duck,  233. 

Harlequin  Snake,  198. 

Harporhynchus,  307. 

Harvest-fish,  112. 

Harvest  Mouse,  321. 

Hawk,  257-259. 
Hawk  Owl,  263. 

Hawksbill  Turtle,  205. 
Head-fish,  171. 
Heath  Hen,  253. 
Helinaia,  298. 
Hellbender,  177. 
Helminthophila,  298. 
Helmitherus,  298. 
Helodromas,  248. 
Hemibranchii,  26,  96. 
Hemichordata,  6. 
Hemidactylium,  179. 
Hemiramphus,  93. 
Hemitremia,  55. 
Hemitripterus,  148. 
Hen,  251. 
Hen  Hawk,  258. 
Hermit  Thrush,  313. 
Herodias,  238. 


Herodiones,  235. 
Heron,  237-239. 
Herring,  71,  72. 
Herring  Gull,  220. 
Hesperiphona,  283. 
Hesperocichla,  313. 
Hesperomys,  321. 
Heterodon,  197. 
Heterosomata,  26,  163. 
Hiatula,  146. 
Hickory  Shad,  74. 
Hierofalco,  260. 
High-Holer,  268. 
Himantopus,  244. 
Hiodon,  69. 
Hiodontidae,  69. 
Hippocampus,  96. 
Hippoglossoides,  165. 
Hippoglossus,  165. 
Hirundinidae,  291. 
Histrionicus,  233. 
Hog,  335. 
Hog-choker,  168. 
Hog-fish,  126. 
Hog  Molly,  46. 
Hog-nosed  Snake,  198. 
Hog  Sucker,  46. 
Holbrookia,  203. 
Holocephali,  24. 
Holostei,  25. 
Hominidae,  344. 
Homo,  344. 
Hooded  Warbler,  305. 
Hoop  Snake,  191. 
Horned  Dace,  66. 
Horned  Lark,  276. 
Horned  Owl,  263. 
Horned  Pout,  40. 
Horned  Toad,  203. 
Horn-fish,  135. 
Horn  Snake,  191. 
Horny-Head,  65. 
lorse,  335. 
lorse-fish,  109. 
Jorse-head,  110. 
lorse-mackerel,  108. 
lound-fish,  92. 
lound  Shark,  16. 
louse  Mouse,  322. 
louse  Snake,  197. 
louse  Sparrow,  284. 
louse  Wren,  308. 
ludsonius,  57. 
Humming  Bird,  270. 


Hump-back  Whale,  334. 
Hybognathus,  53. 
Hybopsis,  63. 
Hyborhynchus,  54. 
Hydranassa,  238. 
Hydrochelidon,  222. 
Hydrophlox,  59. 
Hyla,  184. 
Hylatomus,  268. 
Hylidse,  183. 
Hylocichla,  312. 
Hypentelium,  46. 
Hyperoartia,  10. 
Hyperoodon,  332. 
Hyperotreta,  9. 
Hypleurochilus,  158. 
Hystricidaj,  318. 


236. 
Ibis,  236. 
Ice-fish,  76. 
Ice  Gull,  220. 
Ichthyomyzon,  10. 
Ichthyopsida,  6. 
Ictalurus,  39. 
Icteria,  305. 
Icteridae,  277. 
Icterus,  279. 
Ictidomys,  323. 
Ictinia,  257. 
Ictiobus,  44. 
Iguanidae,  202. 
Imostoma,  125. 
Indian  Hen,  237. 
Indigo-Bird,  290. 
Ineducabilia,  314. 
[nsectivora,  324. 
loa,  123. 
[onornis,  241. 
[ridoprocne,  292. 
Isesthes,  158. 
[sogomphodon,  14. 
[sospondyli,  26,  69. 
tstiophoridae,  103. 
[stiophorus,  104. 
fsuropsis,  18. 
"sums,  18. 
Ivory-billed  Woodpeck 

er,  267. 
Very  Gull,  219. 


ACK- CURLEW,  249. 
ack-Rabbit,  318. 


368 


INDEX. 


Jack-Snipe,  246. 

Laniidae,  294. 

Look-down,  110. 

Jaeger,  218,  219. 

Lanius,  294. 

Loon,  216. 

Jay,  277. 

Lanivireo,  296. 

Lophiidae,  172. 

Jerker,  65. 

Lant,  101. 

Lophius,  172. 

John  A.  Grindle,  37. 

Lapland  Longspur,  285. 

Lophobranchii,  26,  95. 

Johnny,  124. 

Laridae,  219. 

Lophodytes,  229. 

Johnny  Darter,  121. 

Lark,  275. 

Lophophanes,  310. 

Joint-Snake,  202. 

Lark  Bunting,  291  . 

Lords-and-Ladies,  233. 

Jumping  Mouse,  318. 

Lark  Sparrow,  287. 

Lota,  162. 

Jump-rocks,  48. 

Larus,  220. 

Loxia,  284. 

Junco,  288. 

Laughing  Gull,  220. 

Lucania,  86. 

Jurel,  109. 

Lawyer,  162,  244. 

Lump-fish,  154. 

Least  Bittern,  238. 

Lump  Sucker,  154. 

KENTUCKY    WARBLER, 

Leather  Carp,  50. 
Leather-Jacket,  108,  169. 

Luscinia,  310. 
Lutjanus,  139. 

Kildeer,  249. 

TTMl             OO1 

Leather-Turtle,  204,  206. 
Leiostomus,  143. 

Lutra,  340. 
Lutreola,  341. 

iLiller,  ool. 

Leirus,  111. 

Luxilus,  58. 

Killifish,  83-85. 
King-bird,  274. 
King  Eider,  233. 
King-fish,  105,  144. 
Kingfisher,  265,  266. 
Kinglet,  310,  311. 
King  Salmon,  79. 
Kinosternidae,  207. 
Kinosternon,  207. 

Leopard  Frog,  185. 
Lepibema,  137. 
Lepidosteus,  35. 
Lepisosteidae,  35. 
Lepisosteus,  35. 
Lepomis,  116. 
Leporidae,  317. 
Leptoblennius,  159. 
Leptocardii,  8. 

Lycodidae,  160. 
Lynx,  343. 
Lythrurus,  60. 

MACKEREL,  104,  106. 
Mackerel  Shark,  18. 
Mackinaw  Trout,  80. 
Macrochelys,  207. 
Macrochires,  269. 

TCit  Fmr    S4-2 

Leptocephalus,  90. 

Macrorhamphus,  245. 

IV1L  1  OX,   OTTA. 

Kittiwake  Gull,  220. 
Knot,  246. 

Leptops,  41. 
Lepus,  317. 
Leucosticte,  284. 

Mademoiselle,  143. 
Mad  Tom  (Noturus  in- 

Kogia,  333. 
Kyphosus,  140. 

Limanda,  167. 
Limicolae,  242. 

Magpie,  276. 
Malaclemmys,  208. 

Limosa,  247. 

Mallard  Duck,  230. 

LABIDESTHES,  100. 

Ling,  162. 

Mallotus,  76. 

Labridae,  145. 

Linnet,  284. 

Malthe,  172. 

Lacertilia,  200. 

Liopeltis,  195. 

Malthidse,  171. 

Lady-fish,  70. 

Liopsetta,  167. 

Mammalia,  314. 

Lagenorhynchus,  331. 

Liparididae,  153. 

Mammals,  314. 

Lagocephalus,  170. 

Liparis,  153. 

Man,  344. 

Lagochila,  49. 

Lizard,  200,  203. 

Man-eater  Shark,  19. 

Lagodon,  140. 

Lizard-fish,  75. 

Mangrove  Snapper,  139. 

Lagopus,  252. 

Lobotes,  138. 

Man-o'-War    Bird,   226, 

Lake  Herring,  78. 

Lobotidae,  138. 

227. 

Lake  Sturgeon,  34. 

Log-cock,  268. 

Manta,  23. 

Lake  Trout,  80. 

Loggerhead-Shrike,  294. 

Mantidae,  23. 

Lamellirostres,  227. 

Loggerhead-Turtle,  205. 

Map-Turtle,  208. 

Lamna,  18. 

Log-Perch,  126. 

Mareca,  230. 

Lamnidae,  18. 

Longe,  80. 

Marlin,  247. 

Lamprey,  10,  11. 

Long-eared  Bat,  328. 

Marmot,  323. 

Lancelet,  8. 

Longipennes,  218. 

Marsh  Hare,  317. 

Land-locked  Salmon,  80. 

Long-nosed  Dace,  63. 

Marsh  Harrier,  257. 

Land  Tortoise,  211  . 

Long-shanks,  244. 

Marsh-hen,  241. 

Lanier,  260. 

Longspur,  285,  286. 

Marsh-Robin,  289. 

Marsh-Wren,  308. 
Marsupial ia,  315. 
Marten,  340. 
Martin,  292. 
Maryland  Yellow-throat, 

305. 

Maskinong3r,  89. 
Massasauga,  199. 
Mattowacca,  72. 
May-fish,  84. 
Meadowlark,  279. 
Meadow  Mouse,  320. 
Megalestris,  218. 
Megalops,  71. 
Megaptera,  334. 
Megascops,  263. 
Melanerpes,  268. 
Melanitta,  234. 
Melanogrammus,  163. 
Meleagris,  253. 
Melospiza,  289. 
Menhaden,  73. 
Menidia,  100. 
Menobranchus,  175. 
Menomonee    White-fish, 

77. 

Menticirrhus,  143. 
Merlin,  260. 
Mephitis,  340. 
Merganser,  229. 
Merluccius,  163. 
Merula,  313. 
Mesogonistius,  116. 
Mesoplodon,  332. 
Methriopterus,  307. 
Michigan  Grayling,  79. 
Michigan  Herring,  78. 
Microgadus,  163. 
Microgobius,  157. 
Micropalama,  245. 
Microperca,  134. 
Micropodidrc,  270. 
Micropogon,  143. 
Micropterus,  120. 
Microsorex,  325. 
Milk  Snake,  197. 
Miller's  Thumb,  148, 149. 
Milvulus,  274. 
Mimus,  307. 
Miniellus,  56. 
Mink,  341. 
Minnilus,  55. 
Minnow,  49,  55. 
Minytrema,  47. 


INDEX. 

Mirror  Carp,  50. 
Mississippi  Cat,  39. 
Missouri  Skylark,  306. 
Missouri  Sucker,  46. 
Mniotilta,  298. 
Mniotiltidae,  296. 
Moccasin,  194,  199. 
Mocking-bird,  307. 
Mocking  Wren,  308. 
Moharra,  144. 
Mola,  171. 
Mole,  326. 
Molidse,  171. 
Molothrus,  278. 
Monacanthus,  169. 
Mongolian,  344. 
Mongrel  Buffalo,  44. 
Mongrel  White-fish,  78. 
Moniana,  57. 
Monkey,  343. 
Monk-fish,  19. 
Monodelphia,  314. 
Monotremata,  314. 
Moon-eye,  69;  78. 
Moon-fish,  109,  110. 
Moose,  336. 
Morone,  137. 
Mossbunker,  73. 
Motacillidse,  306. 
Mother-of-Eels,  160. 
Mourning  Dove,  254. 
Mourning  Warbler,  304. 
Mouse,  319. 
Mouse-fish,  172. 
Moxostoma,  47, 173. 
Mud  Cat,  41. 
Mud  Eel,  175. 
Mud-fish,  37,  85. 
Mud  Hen,  242. 
Mud  Minnow,  87. 
Mud  Puppy,  175. 
Mud  Shad,  74. 
Mud  Sun-fish,  115. 
Miid  Turtle,  207,  210. 
Muffle-jaw,  149. 
Mugilidae,  99. 
Mule  Deer,  336. 
Mullet,  99. 
Mullet  Sucker,  47. 
Mullidse,  141. 
Mullus,  141. 
Mummichog,  85. 
Muramoides,  158. 
Muridse,  319. 
24 


Murre, 
Mus,  319,  320. 
Musculus,  320. 
Muskallunge,  89. 
Muskrat,  320. 
Musk  Turtle,  207. 
Musteln,  340. 
Mustelida?,  339. 
Mustelus,  16. 
Mutton-fish,  160. 
Myadestes,  312. 
Myiarchus,  274. 
Myliobatis,  23. 
Mynomes,  321. 
Myxine,  9. 
Myxinidae,  9. 
Myzonts,  9. 

NAKEMYS,  210. 
Nanostoma,  129. 
Nashville  Warbler,  299. 
Necturus,  175. 
Needle-fish,  91,  92. 
Negro,  344. 
Nematognathi,  26,  37. 
Neocorys,  306- 
Neosorex,  325. 
Neotoma,  321. 
Nettion,  230. 
Newt,  181. 
Night  Hawk,  270. 
Night  Heron,  239. 
Nightingale,  310. 
Night  Jar,  269. 
Nocomis,  65. 
Nomonyx,  234. 
Nonpareil,  290. 
Notemigonus,  68. 
Nothonotus,  130. 
Notropis,  55. 
Noturus,  41. 
Numb-fish,  22. 
Numenius,  248. 
Numida,  251. 
Nuthatch,  309,  310. 
Nuttallornis,  274. 
Nyctala,  262. 
Nyctanassa,  239. 
Nyctea,  263. 
Nycticejus,  328. 
Nycticorax,  239. 

OCEANITES,  224. 
Oceanodroma,  224. 


370 


INDEX. 


Ochetodon,  321. 

Painted  Turtle.  210. 

Ochthodromus,  249. 

Paludicoloe,  239. 

Odontoglossae,  227. 

Pandion,  261. 

Oidemia,  234. 

Panther,  343. 

Old  Squaw,  233. 

Paralichthys,  166. 

Oligocephalus,  132. 

Parexocoetus,  93. 

Oligoplites,  108. 

Paridae,  309. 

Oligosoma,  201. 

Paroquet,  264. 

Olive  -  backed      Thrush, 

Parrot,  263. 

312. 

Partridge,  252. 

Olor,  235. 

Parula,  299. 

Oncorhynchus,  79. 

Parus,  310. 

Onychomys,  321. 

Passenger  Pigeon,  254. 

Ophibolus,  196. 

Passer,  284. 

Ophidia,  187. 

Passerculus,  286. 

Ophidiidae,  160. 

Passerella,  289. 

Ophidion,  160. 

Passeres,  271. 

Ophisaurus,  202. 

Passerina,  290. 

Opisthonema,  73. 

Pavo,  251. 

Oporomis,  304. 

Pavoncella,  248. 

Opossum,  316. 

Peabody  Bird,  288. 

Opsopoeodus,  68. 

Peacock,  251. 

Orange  -crowned     War- 

Pea-lip Sucker,  49. 

bler,  299. 

Pecora,  335. 

Orange  -  throated     War- 

Pediculati, 27,  171. 

bler,  303. 

Pediocaates,  253. 

Orbidus,  170. 

Pedomys,  320. 

Orca,  331. 

Peep,  246. 

Orchard  Oriole,  279. 

Pekan,  341. 

Oregon  Robin,  313. 

Pelecanidae,  226. 

Oriole,  279. 

Pelecanus,  226. 

Orthopristis,  140. 

Pelican,  226. 

Oryzomvs,  321. 

Pelidna,  246. 

Osceola,"l97. 

Pelionetta,  234. 

Oscines,  271. 

Pelobatidze,  182. 

Osmerus,  76. 

Perca,  134. 

Osprey,  261. 

Percesoces,  26. 

Otocoris,  276. 

Perch,  134. 

Otter,  340. 

Percidje,  121. 

Ouzel,  311. 

Perciformes,  113. 

Oven-bird,  304. 

Percina,  126. 

Ovis,  337. 

Percopsidse,  82. 

Owl,  261,  262. 

Percopsis,  82. 

Ox,  336. 

Perisoreus,  277. 

Ox-bird,  247. 

Perissodactyli,  335. 

Ox-eye,  249. 

Perissoglossa,  301. 

Oxyechus,  249. 

Petrel,  223,  224. 

Oxygeneum,  52. 

Petrochelidon,  292. 

Oyster-Catcher,  250. 

Petromyzon,  10. 

Oyster-fish,  146,  155. 

Petromyzontidae,  10. 

Peucaea,  289. 

Pewee,  274,  275. 

PADDLE-FISH,  33. 

Phalacrocoracidae,  225. 

Painted  Bunting,  290. 

Phalacrocorax,  226. 

Phalarope,  243. 
Phalaropodidae,  243. 
Phalaropus,  243. 
Pharyngognathi,  145. 
Phasianidae,  253. 
Pheasant,  252,  253. 
Phenacobius,  62. 
Philohela,  245. 
Phoca,  338. 
Phocaena,  331. 
Phocid®,  338. 
Phoebe,  274. 
Phoxinus,  66. 
Phrynosoma,  203. 
Phycis,  162. 
Phyllobasileus,  311. 
Physalus,  333. 
Physeter,  333. 
Physeterida?,  333. 
Physoclysti,  26,  37,  91. 
Physostomi,  26,  37. 
Pica,  276. 
Picariae,  264. 
Pici,  266. 
Picidaa,  266. 
Pickerel,  88,  89. 
Picoides,  267. 
Pigeon-Hawk,  257,  260. 
Pig-fish,  140. 
Pigmy    Sperm    Whale, 

333. 

Pike,  88,  89. 
Piked  Whale,  344. 
Pike  Perch,  135. 
Pilot-fish,  77,  110. 
Pilot  Snake,  194. 
Pilot  Whale,  331. 
Pimelepterus,  140. 
Pimephales,  54. 
Pine-creeping    Warbler, 

303. 

Pine  Grosbeak,  283. 
Pine  Marten,  340. 
Pine  Mouse,  320. 
Pine  Siskin,  285. 
Pine  Snake,  196. 
Pin-fish,  140. 
Pinicola,  283. 
Pinnated  Grouse,  252. 
Pinnipedia,  337. 
Pin-tail,  231. 
Pipe-fish,  96. 
Pipilo,  289. 
Piping  Plover,  250. 


INDEX. 


371 


Pipit,  306. 

Pouched    Gopher,    318, 

Piranga,  291. 

319. 

Pirate-Perch,  113. 

Prairie  Chicken,  252. 

Pisces,  12. 

Prairie  Dog,  323. 

Pituophis,  196. 

Prairie  Hare,  318. 

Pitymys,  320. 

Prairie  Mole,  326. 

Placopharynx,  48. 

Prairie  Rattlesnake,  199. 

Plagusia,  168. 

Prairie  Warbler,  303. 

Plataleida?,  236. 

Prairie  Wolf,  342. 

Platophrys,  166. 

Primates,  343. 

Platygobio,  65. 

Prionotus,  152. 

Platypodon,  17. 

Pristididse,  20. 

Platysomatichthys,  165. 

Pristis,  20. 

Plautus,  218. 

Procellaria,  224. 

Plecotus,  329. 

Procellariidse,  223. 

Plectognathi,  27.  168. 

Procyon,  338. 

Plectospondyli,  42. 

Procyonida?,  338. 

Plectrophenax,  285. 

Prodelphinus,  330. 

Plegadis,  236. 

Progne,  292. 

Plethodon,  179. 

Prong  Horn,  336. 

Plethodontidae,  179. 

Prosopium,  77. 

Pleurodelidaa,  181. 

Proteida,  175. 

Pleurolepis,  122. 

Proteidae,  175. 

Pleuronectes,  166. 

Protonotaria,  298. 

Pleuronectidae,  164. 

Pseudemys,  209. 

Plover,  249. 

Pseudopleuronectes,  167. 

Pneumatophorus,  107. 

Pseudotriacis,  14. 

Pochard,  231. 

Psittaci,  263. 

Podicipidaa,  215. 

Psittacidae,  264. 

Podilymbus,  215. 

Ptarmigan,  252. 

Pcecifichthys,  129. 

Pterophryne,  172. 

Pogonias,  144. 

Pteroplatea,  22. 

Polar  Bear,  339. 

Puffer,  170. 

Polioptila,  311. 

Puffin,  217. 

Pollachius,  163. 

Puffing  Pig,  331. 

Pollack,  163. 

Puffinus,  223. 

Polyodon,  33. 

Puma,  343. 

Polyodontidse,  33. 

Pumpkin-seed,  119. 

Pomatomidae,  111. 

Purple  Finch,  284. 

Pomatomus,  111. 

Putorius,  341. 

Pomolobus,  72. 

Pygopodes,  214. 

Pomoxis,  115. 

Pygosteus,  97. 

Pompano,  110. 

Pond-fish,  119. 
Pond  Turtle,  208. 

QUA-BIRD,  239. 
Quail,  252. 

Poocsetes,  286. 
Porbeagle,  18. 
Porcupine,  318. 
Porcupine-fish,  170. 
Porgie,  138,  140. 
Poronotus,  112. 

Quassilabia,  49. 
Querquedula,  230. 
Quill-back,  45. 
Quinnat,  79. 
Quiscalus,  280. 

Porpoise,  331. 

Porzana,  241. 

RABBIT,  317. 

Potamocottus,  149. 

Rabbit-fish,  170. 

Rabbit-mouth  Sucker,  49. 

Raccoon,  338. 

Raft  Duck,  232. 

Raise,  19. 

Rail,  240,  241. 

Rainbow  Trout,  79. 

Rain  Crow,  265. 

Rain-water  Fish,  86. 

Raja,  21. 

Rajidae,  20. 

Rallidae,  240. 

Rallus,  241. 

Rana,  184. 

Rangeley  Trout,  81. 

Rangifer,  336. 

Ranidae,  184. 

Raptores,  255. 

Rat,  321. 

Rattlesnake,  198,  199. 

Raven,  277. 

Ray,  19. 

Razor  -  backed     Buffalo, 

44. 

Razor-billed  Auk,  217. 
Recurvirostra,  244. 
Recurvirostridse,  243. 
Red  Bat,  328. 
Red-bellied  Minnow,  53. 
Red-bellied  Snake,  192. 
Red-bellied  Terrapin,209. 
Red-bellied  Woodpecker, 

268. 

Red  Bird,  289,  291. 
Red-breast,  313. 
Red  Deer,  336. 
Red  Eft,  181. 
Red  Eye,  115. 
Red-eyed  Vireo,  295. 
Red-fin,  58,  60. 
Red-fish,  143. 
Red  Fox,  342. 
Red  Grouper,  138. 
Red  Head,  231. 
Red-headed  Woodpecker, 

268. 

Red  Horse,  47,  173. 
Red  Mouse,  321. 
Red-mouthed  Buffalo,  44. 
Redpoll,  284. 
Red-poll  Warbler,  303. 
Red-shafted  Flicker,  268. 
Red  Snake,  196. 
Red  Snapper,  139. 
Red  Squirrel,  323. 


372 


INDEX. 


Redstart,  305. 

Round  Pompano,  110. 

Sciaenidoe,  141. 

Red-winged     Blackbird, 

Round  Robin,  108.. 

Scincida?,  200. 

279. 

Ruby-throat,  270. 

Scissor-tail,  274. 

Reed  Bird,  278. 

Rudder-fish,  110,  111,  140. 

Sciuridae,  322. 

Regina,  193. 

Ruff,  248. 

Sciuropterus,  324. 

Regulus,  310. 

Ruffed  Grouse,  252. 

Sciurus,  323. 

Reindeer,  336. 

Ruminants,  335. 

Sclerognathus,  44. 

Remora,  102. 

Runner,  108. 

Scolecophagus,  279. 

Remoropsis,  102. 

Rusty  Blackbird,  279. 

Scoliodon,  17. 

Reniceps,  16. 

Scolopacidae,  244. 

Reptiles,  187. 

Scolopax,  245. 

Reptilia,  187. 

SABLE,  340. 

Scomber,  106. 

Rhinichthys,  63. 

Sail-fish,  104. 

Scomberesox,  93. 

Rhinonemus,  162. 

Sailor's  Choice,  140. 

Scomberomorus,  105. 

Rhinoptera,  23. 

Salamander,  175-177. 

Scombridae,  104. 

Rhombochirus,  102. 

Salientia,  181. 

Scombriformes,  103. 

Rhombus,  112 

Salmo,  79. 

Scorpaenida?,  147. 

Rhynchodon,  260. 

Salmon,  76,  79. 

Scorpion,  201. 

Rhynchophanes,  283. 

Salmonidae,  76. 

Scoter,  234. 

Rhynchopidae,  222. 

Salmon  Trout,  80. 

Scotiaptex,  262. 

Rhynchops,  222. 

Salt-marsh  Turtle,  209. 

Scrag  Whale,  334. 

Riband  Snake,  192. 

Salvelinus,  80. 

Screech  Owl,  263. 

Rice  Bird,  278. 

Sand  Darter,  122. 

Sculpin,  147,  150. 

Rice  Mouse,  321.  • 

Sanderling,  247. 

Scup,  140. 

Right  Whale,  334. 

Sand-hill  Crane,  240. 

Scuppaug,  140. 

Ring-billed  Gull,  220. 

Sand  Lance,  101. 

Scyphobranchii,  155. 

Ring-necked  Duck,  232. 

Sand  Martin,  293. 

Sea  Bass,  135. 

Ring-neck  Plover,  250. 

Sandpeep,  247. 

Sea  Cat-fish,  38,  39. 

Ring-neck  Snake,  196. 

Sand  Pike,  135. 

Sea  Coot,  234. 

Rissa,  220. 

Sandpiper,  246-248. 

Sea  Devil,  23. 

River  Chub,  65. 

Sand  Shark,  18. 

Sea  Duck,  228. 

River  Duck,  228. 

Sap  Sucker,  267. 

Sea  Horse,  96. 

Roach,  66. 

Sarda,  106. 

Seal,  338. 

Robin,  313. 

Sauger,  135. 

Sea  Raven,  148. 

Robin  Snipe,  246. 

Sault  White-fish,  78. 

Sea  Robin,  152. 

Roccus,  136. 

Saurel,  108. 

Sea-side  Finch,  287. 

Rock,  137. 

Sauropsida,  7,  187. 

Sea  Snail,  153,  154. 

Rock  Bass,  115. 

Saury,  93. 

Sea  Squirt,  7. 

Rock-fish,  137,  147. 

Savannah  Sparrow,  286. 

Sebastes,  147. 

Rockling,  162. 

Saw-fish,  20. 

Seiurus,  304. 

Rock  Sturgeon,  34. 

Saw-whet  Owl,  263. 

Selachii,  14. 

Rocky  Mountain  Sheep, 

Sayornis,  274. 

Selachostomi,  25,  33. 

337. 

Scabbard-fish,  104. 

Selene,  109. 

Rodentia,  316. 

Scad,  108. 

Semotilus,  66. 

Rorqual,  333. 

Scalops,  326. 

Sergeant-fish,  103. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak, 

Scapanus,  327. 

Serinus,  285. 

290. 

Scaphiopus,  183. 

Seriola,  110. 

Rose-fish,  147. 

Scaphirhynchops,  34. 

Serranidse,  135. 

Rosy  Gull,  221. 

Scaphirhynchus,  34. 

Serraria,  127. 

Rough-legged  Hawk,  259. 

Scarlet  Tanager,  291. 

Serpent.  187. 

Rough-winged  Swallow, 

Scaup  Duck,  232. 

Setophaga,  305. 

293. 

Sceloporus,  203. 

Shad,  73. 

Round-fish,  77. 

Schilbeodes,  41. 

Shad-waiter,  77. 

Round  Herring,  71. 

Sciama,  143. 

Shag,  226. 

INDEX. 


373 


Sharks,  14. 

Sharp  -  shinned     Hawk, 

257. 

Shearwater,  223,  224. 
Sheep,  336. 
Sheepshead,  140, 144. 
Sheldrake,  229. 
Shiner,  58,  68. 
Shore-birds,  242. 
Shore  Lark,  276. 
Shore  Sparrow,  286. 
Shoveller,  231. 
Shovel-nosed    Sturgeon, 

34. 

Shrew,  325. 
Shrew  Mouse,  325. 
Shrike,  294. 
Sialia,  313. 
Sibbaldius,  334. 
Sicklebill,  248. 
Siluvidae,  38. 
Silver  -  bottom      Whale, 

334. 

Silver  Eel,  104. 
Silver-Fin,  58. 
Silver-fish,  71. 
Silver  Fox,  342. 
Silver  Gar.  92. 
Silver  Hake,  163. 
Silver  Perch,  143. 
Silversides,  99,  100. 
Silver  Whiting,  144. 
Siphostoma,  96. 
Siredon,  177. 
Siren,  175. 
Sirenidae,  175. 
Siskin,  285. 
Sistrurus,  199. 
Sitta,  309. 
Skate,  21. 
Skim-back,  45. 
Skimmer,  222. 
Skink,  200. 
Skip-jack.  111. 
Skipper,  93. 
Skua  Gull,  218. 
Skunk,  340. 
Skunk  Porpoise,  331. 
Skylark,  276. 
Sleeper,  15. 
Slow-worm,  201. 
Smelt,  76. 
Snake,  188. 
Snake-bird,  225. 


[  Snake-fish,  75. 
Snapper,  139. 
Snapping    Turtle,    206, 

207. 

Snipe,  244-246. 
Snow  Bird,  288. 
Snow  Bunting,  285. 
Snow  Goose,  234. 
Snowy  Owl,  263. 
Snuffer,  331. 
Soft-shelled  Turtle,  205, 

206. 

Sole,  168. 
Solitaire,  312. 
Somateria,  233. 
Somniosidse,  15. 
Somniosus,  15. 
Song  Sparrow,  289. 
Sora,  241. 
Sorex,  325. 
Soricida,  325. 
Soriciscus,  326. 
South-Southerly,  233. 
Spade-fish,  146. 
Spade-foot,  183. 
Spanish  Mackerel,  105. 
Sparidse,  138. 
Sparrow,  284. 
Sparrowhawk,  2^0. 
Sparrow  Owl,  2t>2. 
Spatula,  231. 
Spawn-eater,  57. 
Spear-fish,  104. 
Speckle-bill,  234. 
Speckled  Tortoise,  210. 
Speckled  Trout,  80. 
Spelerpes,  180. 
Speotyto,  263. 
Spermophilus,  323. 
Sperm  Whale,  333. 
Sperm-whale     Porpoise, 

332. 

Sphyraena,  100. 
Sphyraenidae,  100. 
Sphyrapicus,  268. 
Sphyrna,  16. 
Sphyrnidse,  15. 
Spile-gale,  340.  » 

Spinus,  285. 

Spiny-rayed  Fishes,  101. 
Spirit  Duck,  233. 
Spiza,  290. 
Spizella,  288. 
Split-mouth,  49. 


Spoon-bill  (fish),  33. 
Spoon-bill  (bird),  236. 
Spoon-bill  Duck,  231. 
Spot,  143. 

Spotted  Adder,  197. 
Spotted  Dolphin,  330. 
Spreading  Adder,  197. 
Sprig-tail,  231. 
Spruce  Partridge,  252. 
Squali,  14. 
Squalid®,  15. 
Squalius,  66. 
Squalus,  15. 
Squatarola,  249. 
Squatina,  19. 
Squatinidae,  19. 
Squawk,  239. 
Squeteague,  142. 
Squirrel,  322.  323. 
Stake  Driver,  237. 
Star-gazer,  156. 
Star-nosed  Mole,  327. 
Steganopodes,  224. 
Steganopus,  243. 
Stelgidopteryx,  293. 
Stenotomus,  140. 
Stercorariidae,  218. 
Stercorarius,  219. 
Sterna,  221. 
Stichaeus,  159. 
Stickleback,  97,  98. 
Stilt,  244. 

Stilt  Sandpiper,  245. 
Stingaree,  22. 
Sting-ray,  22. 
Stizostedion,  135. 
Stoasodon,  23. 
Stock-fish,  163. 
Stolephoridae,  74. 
Stolephorus,  74. 
Stone  Cat,  41. 
Stone  Lugger,  46,  52. 
Stone  Roller,  46,  52. 
Stone  Snipe,  247. 
Stone  Toter,  46,  54. 
Storeria,  192. 
Stork,  237. 
Storm  Petrel,  224. 
Strawberry  Bass,  115. 
Strigidae,  261. 
Striped  Bass,  137. 
Striped  Gopher,  323. 
Striped  Snake,  193. 
Striped  Sucker,  47. 


374 


INDEX. 


Strix,  261. 

Tanagridae,  291. 

Tongue-fish,  168. 

Stromateidae,  111. 

Tantalus,  237. 

Toothed  Herring,  69. 

Stromateus,  112. 

Tarpon,  71. 

Top-Minnow,  86,  87. 

Stud-fish,  85. 

Tarpum,  71. 

Torpedinidae,  21. 

Sturgeon,  33,  34. 

Tattler,  248. 

Torpedo,  22. 

Sturnella,  279. 

Tauridea,  148. 

Tortoise,  204. 

Sucker,  43,  46. 

Tautog,  146. 

Tortoise-shell  Turtle,  205 

Sucker-mouthed  Buffalo, 

Tawny  Thrush,  312. 

Totanus,  247. 

44. 

Taxidea,  340. 

Towhee,  289. 

Sucking-fish,  102. 

Teal,  230. 

Toxicophis,  199. 

Sula,  225. 

Teeter-tail,  248. 

Trachinotus,  110. 

Sulidae,  225. 

Teidaj,  201. 

Trach  urops,  108. 

Sulphur-bottom    Whale, 

Teleocephali,  37. 

Trachurus,  108. 

334. 

Teleostei,  26,  37. 

Trachystomata,  175. 

Summer  Red-bird,  291. 

Teleostomi,  25. 

Tree  Frog,  183. 

Summer  Warbler,  301. 

Tell-tale,  247. 

Tree  Sparrow,  284,  288. 

Sunapee  Trout,  81. 

Telmatodytes,  308. 

Tree  Toad,  184. 

Sun-fish,  113,     116-119, 

Tennessee  Warbler,  299. 

Trichiuridae,  104. 

171. 

Tenpounder,  70. 

Trichiurus,  104. 

Surf-bird,  250. 

Tern,  221,  222. 

Trigger-fish,  168,  169. 

Surf  Duck,  234. 

Terrapin,  209. 

Triglidaa,  152. 

Surf  Whiting,  144. 

Testudinata,  203. 

Triglops,  151. 

Surmullet,  141. 

Testudinidae,  211. 

Triglopsis,  150. 

Surnia,  263. 

Tetraodontidae,  169. 

Tringa,  246. 

Swallow,  291,  292. 

Tetraonidse,  251. 

Trionychidae,  205. 

Swamp  Sparrow,  289. 

Tetrapturus,  104. 

Triple-tail,  138. 

Swan,  235. 

Thalarctos,  339. 

Trochilidse,  270. 

Sweet  Sucker,  46. 

Thalasseus,  221. 

Trochilus,  270. 

Swell-fish,  169,  170. 

Thalassochelys,  205. 

Troglodytes,  308. 

Swell-toad,  170. 

Thimble-eye,  107. 

Troglodytidae,  306. 

Swift  (reptile),  203. 

Thistle-bird,  285. 

Tropidoclonium,  192. 

Swift  (bird),  270. 

Thomomys,  319. 

Tropidonotus,  194. 

Swingle-tail,  17. 

Thrasher,  307. 

Trout,  79,  80. 

Sword-fish,  103. 

Thread-fish,  109. 

Trout  Perch,  82. 

Sword-Grampus,  331. 

Thread  Herring,  73. 

True  Fishes,  25. 

Sylvania,  305. 

Thresher,  17. 

Trumpeter  Swan,  235. 

Sylviidae,  310. 

Thrush,  311,  312. 

Trumpet-fish,  97. 

Symphemia,  248. 

Thryomanes,  308. 

Trunk-back,  204. 

Symphurus,  168. 

Thryothorus,  308. 

Trygon,  22. 

Synaptomys,  320. 

Thunder-pumper,  144. 

Tryngites,  248. 

Syngnathidae,  95. 

Thunder  Snake,  196. 

Tubinares,  2±2. 

Synentognathi,  26,  91. 

Thymallus,  79. 

Tufted  Titmouse,  310. 

Synodontidse,  75. 

Tiger  Shark,  16. 

Tullibee,  78. 

Synodus,  75. 

Tigoma,  67. 

Tunicata,  5. 

Syrnium,  262. 

Tinnunculus,  260. 

Tunny,  106. 

Tiny  Perch,  113. 

Turbot,  166. 

Tip-up,  248. 

Turdidae,  311. 

TACHYCINETA,  292. 

Titlark,  306. 

Turdus,  312. 

Tachysurus,  39. 

Titmouse,  310. 

Turkey,  253. 

Tadpole,  174. 

Toad,  182. 

Turkey  Buzzard,  256. 

Tailor  Herring,  72. 

Toad-fish,  154,  155. 

Turn-stone,  250. 

Talpidae,  326. 

Tobacco-box,  21. 

Tursiops,  330. 

Tamias,  323. 

Togue,  80. 

Turtle,  203. 

Tanager,  291. 

Tom-cod,  163- 

Turtle  Dove,  254. 

INDEX. 


375 


Tylosurus,  92. 
Tympanuchus,  252. 
Typlichthys,  83. 
Tyrannidae,  273. 
Tyrannus,  274. 

ULOCENTRA,  124. 
Umbra,  87. 
Umbridte,  87. 
Umbrula,  144. 
Ungulata,  335. 
Upland  Sandpiper,  248. 
Upsilonphorus,  156,  359. 
Uranidea,  148. 
Uranoscopida;,  156. 
Uria,  217. 
Urinator,  216. 
Urinatoridae,  216. 
Urochordata,  6. 
Urocyon,  342. 
Urodela,  175. 
Urophycis,  162. 
Ursidae,  339. 
Ursus,  331). 

VAILLANTIA,  124. 
Veery,  312. 
Vertebra ta,  5. 
Vesperides,  328. 
Vesper  Sparrow,  286. 
Vespertilio,  328. 
Vespertilionidse,  327. 
Vesperugo,  328. 
Vesperus,  328. 
Vireo,  295,  296. 
Vireonidaa,  294. 
Vireosylva,  295. 
Virginia,  191. 
Vomer,  109. 
Vulpes,  342. 
Vulture,  255. 

WAGTAIL,  306. 
Wall-eye,  135. 
Wapiti,  336. 
Warbler,  296,  310. 
Warbling  Vireo,  296. 
War-mouth,  115. 
Water  Dog,  175. 
Water  Hare,  317. 
Water  Shrew,  325. 
Water  Snake,  194. 


Water  Thrush,  304. 
Water  Turkey,  225. 
Water  Wagtail,  304. 
Water  Witch,  215. 
Wax-wing,  293. 
Weak-fish,  142. 
Weasel,  341. 
Whale,  333,  334. 
Wharf  Rat,  321. 
Whipparee,  22. 
Whippoorwill,  269. 
Whiskey  Jack,  277. 
Whistling  Swan,  235. 
White  Bass,  137. 
White-bellied    Swallow, 

292. 

White  Cat-fish,  39,  40. 
White-crowned  Sparrow, 

288. 

White-eyed  Vireo,  296. 
White-fish,  77. 
White  Perch,  137,  144. 
White  Rabbit,  317. 
White  Shark,  19. 
White  Sturgeon,  34. 
White  Sucker,  46,  173. 
White-tailed  Deer,  336. 
White-throated  Sparrow, 

288. 

White  Whale,  331. 
White-wing     Blackbird, 

291. 

Whiting,  143,  144,  163. 
Widgeon,  231. 
Wild  Cat,  343. 
Wild  Goose,  235. 
Willet,  248. 
Willow  Grouse,  252. 
Wilson's  Thrush,  312. 
Window-pane,  166. 
Winter  Flounder,  167. 
Winter  Wren,  308. 
Wolf,  342. 
Wolf-fish,  159. 
Wolverine,  340. 
Woodchuck,  323. 
Woodcock,  245. 
Wood  Duck,  231. 
Wood-Frog,  185. 
Wood  Ibis,  237. 
Woodland  Caribou,  336. 
Woodpeckers,  266,  267. 
Wood  Pewee,  275. 
Wood  Rat,  321. 


Wood  Thrush,  312. 
Wood  Tortoise,  210. 
Worm-eating  Warbler, 

298. 

Worm  Snake,  191. 
Wrasse,  145. 
Wren,  306,  308. 
Wry-mouth,  159. 

XANTHOCEPHALUS,  279. 
Xema,  221. 
Xenopterygii,  155. 
Xenotis,  118. 
Xerobates,  211. 
Xiphias,  103. 
Xiphiidse,  103. 
Xystroplites,  119. 

YELLOW  BASS,  137. 

Yellow-bellied  Terrapin, 
209. 

Yellow-bellied  Wood- 
pecker, 268. 

Yellow-bird,  285. 

Yellow  -  breasted  Chat, 
305. 

Yellow  Cat-fish,  40. 

Yellow-hammer,  268. 

Yellow  -  headed  Black- 
bird, 279. 

Yellow-legs,  248. 

Yellow  Mackerel,  109. 

Yellow  Perch,  134. 

Yellow-rumped  Warbler, 
302. 

Yellow-shanks,  247. 

Yellow-tail,  143. 

Yellow-throat,  305. 

Yellow  -  throated  Vireo, 
296. 

Yellow-throated  Warbler, 
303. 

Yphantes,  279. 

ZAPODID.E,  318. 
Zapus,  318. 
Zenaidura,  254. 
Ziphiidas,  332. 
Ziphius,  332. 
Zoarces,  160. 
Zonotrichia,  287. 
Zygonectes,  86. 


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